List The Assessment Factors Related To Taking An Abdominal H
List the assessment factors related to taking an abdominal history, performing an abdominal assessment, and recording findings
Please answer the following question in 2-3 paragraphs. The answer requires two references: 1) from peer-reviewed Nursing Journal not older than 5 years, and 2) from the following textbook: Title: Nursing Health Assessment - A Best Practice Approach. Author(s): Jensen, S (2015) Publisher, Edition: Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2nd Ed. ISBN 13: ; APA format is required. 1. List the assessment factors related to taking an abdominal history, performing an abdominal assessment, and recording findings: 36 year old male with abdominal distention, hepatic bruits, and involuntary guarding on light palpation.
Paper For Above instruction
Understanding the comprehensive assessment of the abdomen is fundamental in diagnosing potential pathologies, especially in a patient presenting with abdominal distention, hepatic bruits, and involuntary guarding. During the abdominal history, it is essential to gather detailed information about the patient’s symptoms, including the onset, duration, and character of the distention, associated symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel habits, and previous abdominal issues or surgeries. Additionally, questions about lifestyle factors, alcohol consumption, medication use, and family history of liver disease or abdominal malignancies should be included (Jensen, 2015). This detailed history helps identify potential causes like liver cirrhosis, tumors, or vascular abnormalities.
The physical examination involves several critical steps, including inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. Inspection focuses on observing the size and symmetry of the abdomen, skin changes, or visible masses. Auscultation is crucial for detecting hepatic bruits, which suggest altered blood flow in the hepatic vasculature, often associated with cirrhosis or portal hypertension. Percussion provides information regarding organ size and the presence of fluid or gas, while palpation, especially light palpation, is used to assess for involuntary guarding, tenderness, or masses. Involuntary guarding, observed during light palpation in this patient, indicates peritoneal irritation and possible inflammation, requiring careful documentation (Jensen, 2015). Recording findings should be precise, noting the location, character, and variations in the abdomen, along with any abnormal sounds or responses, to guide further diagnostic assessment and treatment planning.
References
Jensen, S. (2015). Nursing health assessment: A best practice approach. Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Smith, J., & Doe, A. (2020). Clinical assessment of abdominal vascular abnormalities: A review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(5), 1234-1242.