Assignment 2: Lab Assignment 2 (Optional) Practice Assessment: Abdominal Examination NURS 6512N-32
Examination
an be extremely varied due to the sheer number of
structures, organs, and functions within the abdomen. If abdominal pain is caused by a
life-threatening condition, then swift and accurate assessment is essential.
In preparation for the Comprehensive (Head-to-Toe) Physical Assessment due in Week
9, it is recommended that you practice performing an abdominal examination this week.
Note: This is an optional practice physical assessment.
To Prepare
Arrange an appropriate time and setting with a volunteer "patient" to perform an
abdominal examination.
Download and review Adult Examination Checklist: Guide for Abdominal Assessment,
provided in this week's Learning Resources, as well as review the Seidel’s Guide to
Physical Examination online media.
Optional Practice Assessment
Perform the abdominal examination. Be sure to cover all of the areas listed in the
checklist and to use the equipment appropriately.
What's Coming Up in Week 7?
Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images
Next week, you will explore how to assess the heart, lungs, and peripheral vascular
system as you complete your Discussion.
Week 7 Required Media
Photo Credit: [fergregory]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images
Next week, you will need to view several videos and animations in the Seidel’s Guide to
Physical Examination as well as other media, as required, prior to completing your
Discussion. There are several videos of various lengths. Please plan ahead to ensure
you have time to view these media programs to complete your Discussion on time.
Next Week
To go to the next week:
Week 7
Also Read:
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W.
(2019). Seidel's guide to physical examination: An interprofessional
approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Chapter 6, “Vital Signs and Pain Assessment”
This chapter describes the experience of pain and its causes. The authors
also describe the process of pain assessment.
Chapter 18, “Abdomen”
In this chapter, the authors summarize the anatomy and physiology of the
abdomen. The authors also explain how to conduct an assessment of the
abdomen.
Dains, J. E., Baumann, L. C., & Scheibel, P. (2019). Advanced health
assessment and clinical diagnosis in primary care (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO:
Elsevier Mosby.
Credit Line: Advanced Health Assessment and Clinical Diagnosis in Primary Care, 6th Edition by Dains, J.E., Baumann, L. C., &
Scheibel, P. Copyright 2019 by Mosby. Reprinted by permission of Mosby via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Chapter 3, “Abdominal Pain”
This chapter outlines how to collect a focused history on abdominal pain.
This is followed by what to look for in a physical examination in order to
make an accurate diagnosis.
Chapter 10, “Constipation”
The focus of this chapter is on identifying the causes of constipation
through taking a focused history, conducting physical examinations, and
performing laboratory tests.
Chapter 12, “Diarrhea”
In this chapter, the authors focus on diagnosing the cause of diarrhea. The
chapter includes questions to ask patients about the condition, things to
look for in a physical exam, and suggested laboratory or diagnostic
studies to perform.
Chapter 29, “Rectal Pain, Itching, and Bleeding”
This chapter focuses on how to diagnose rectal bleeding and pain. It
includes a table containing possible diagnoses, the accompanying
physical signs, and suggested diagnostic studies.
Colyar, M. R. (2015). Advanced practice nursing procedures. Philadelphia,
PA: F. A. Davis.
Credit Line: Advanced practice nursing procedures, 1st Edition by Colyar, M. R. Copyright 2015 by F. A. Davis Company.
Reprinted by permission of F. A. Davis Company via the Copyright Clearance Center.
These sections below explain the procedural knowledge needed to
perform gastrointestinal procedures.
Chapter 107, “X-Ray Interpretation: Chest (pp. 480–487)
Chapter 115, “X-Ray Interpretation of Abdomen” (pp. 514–520)
Note: Download this Student Checklist and Abdomen Key Points to use
during your practice abdominal examination.
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W.
(2019). Abdomen: Student checklist. In Seidel's guide to physical
examination: An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO:
Elsevier Mosby.
Credit Line: Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination, 9th Edition by Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., &
Stewart, R. W. Copyright 2019 by Elsevier Health Sciences. Reprinted by permission of Elsevier Health Sciences via the
Copyright Clearance Center.
Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W.
(2019). Abdomen: Key points. In Seidel's guide to physical examination:
An interprofessional approach (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Credit Line: Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination, 9th Edition by Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., &
Stewart, R. W. Copyright 2019 by Elsevier Health Sciences. Reprinted by permission of Elsevier Health Sciences via the
Copyright Clearance Center.
Document: Midterm Exam Review (Word document)
Optional Resource
LeBlond, R. F., Brown, D. D., & DeGowin, R. L. (2014). DeGowin’s
diagnostic examination (10th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill Medical.
Chapter 9, “The Abdomen, Perineum, Anus, and Rectosigmoid” (pp.
445–527)
This chapter explores the health assessment processes for the abdomen,
perineum, anus, and rectosigmoid. This chapter also examines the
symptoms of many conditions in these areas.
Chapter 10, “The Urinary System” (pp. 528–540)
In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of the physiology of the
urinary system. The chapter also lists symptoms and conditions of the
urinary system.
Required Media (click to expand/reduce)
Online media for Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination
It is highly recommended that you access and view the resources included with
the course text, Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. Focus on the videos and
animations in Chapter 17 that relate to the assessment of the abdomen and
gastrointestinal system. Refer to Week 4 for access instructions
on https://evolve.elsevier.com/
