NCM 101a: HEALTH ASSESSMENT SKILLS LECTURE

Name: Block: Group: Score:

20
Topic: Assessment of the Abdomen

Learning Outcomes:
1. Conduct a comprehensive and systematic physical assessment of patients with focus on
the abdomen.
2. Communicate clearly and briefly, both in oral and written form, relevant information on
patient’s assessment.
3. Determine the use and sequence of the different techniques in physical assessment.

Main reference:
Weber, J. and Kelley, J. (2018) Health Assessment in Nursing. Sixth Edition. Wolters Kluwer
Health, Philadelphia.

A. Scaffold on abdominal assessment

Task 1: Below are the steps on how to assess the abdomen. Using the main reference and
other reliable sources, you are to describe each step according to how it is performed and its
normal and abnormal findings with photos. Be guided of the RUBRIC attached on this activity.
(15 points)
ABNORMAL
NORMAL FINDINGS
PROCEDURE HOW TO PERFORM? FINDINGS W/
WITH PHOTOS
PHOTOS
1. Inspects the
abdomen for:
a. Color

b. Vascularity

c. Lesions

d. Contour

e. Symmetry

f. movements

2. Measures the
abdominal girth

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3. Checks umbilicus
for:
a. position

b. contour

4. Checks abdominal
reflex
5. Auscultates for:
a. bowel sounds
b. vascular sounds
i. abdominal aorta
ii. renal arteries
iii. iliac arteries
6. Percusses the
different quadrants:
a. RUQ

b. RLQ

c. LUQ

d. LLQ

7. Percusses the
bladder
8. Percusses the liver
span
9. percusses the
kidneys
10. Performs light
palpation
11. Performs deep
palpation
12. Palpates the
bladder
13. Performs special
assessment
procedure:
a. Rebound
tenderness

b. Rovsing’s sign

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c. Obturator’s sign

d. Iliopsoas sign

e. Murphy’s sign

References:

Task 2: Good job! Try to check on your tabular activity above by ticking on the point value of
your output.
Scaffolding Point System
Written Total Criteria Point
Output Points Value

 Accurately identifies salient steps and procedures 4

 includes proper position of the nurse and the patient points
A. How to (if necessary)
Perform 4 pts.  as well as the appropriate instructions before,
Column during, and after each skill are incorporated
 Steps and procedures were identified but lacks 3
specific instructions or points
 Some relevant instructions are missed
 Above criteria are not met but able to write general 2
considerations in making the steps and procedures points

 Specifications (color, contour, odor, shape, size, 4

amount, consistency, sound, etc.) are well defined points
B. Stating the accordingly,
Normal 4 pts.  pictures are included (if necessary)
 Area of assessment lacks 1 defining quality, 3
 appropriate pictures not included points
 Areas of assessment lacks 2 or more defining 2
qualities points
 Essential images are not included

 Specifications (color, contour, odor, shape, size, 4

amount, consistency, sound, etc.) are well defined points
accordingly, pictures are included if necessary
C. Stating the  pictures are included (if necessary)
Abnormal 4 pts.  Area of assessment lacks 1 defining quality 3
 appropriate pictures not included points
 Areas of assessment lacks 2 or more defining 2

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 qualities points
 Essential images are not included

≥ 2 References, APA Style, all in proper format 3

C. References 3 pts. points
≥ 2 References, APA Style, format not properly followed 2
points
1 Reference, APA Style, proper format followed 2
points
1 Reference, APA format not followed 1 point
No Reference No
point
Total Score 15 Highest possible score- 15, Lowest possible score- 6

What is your score? What do you think are the factors of having this score? Why?

Task 3: Answer the following questions: (5 points)

1. In the assessment of the abdomen, explain why you need to perform auscultation first
before doing the percussion and palpation? (2 points if answer is complete; 1 point if 1
data is incorrect and/or incomplete; 0 point if all answers are incorrect)

2. While palpating the abdomen, you simultaneously observe the patient for what? (1 point)
. Why? (2 points)

Other references used:

Prepared by: Approved by:

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Names of Faculty Genevive Claire B. Antonio

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