Question

A nurse who is going to perform abdominal examination for a patient with abdominal pain following IAPP ( inspection; Auscultation; palpation and percussion?) ?

Why Auscultation comes prior to palpitation and percussion?

Answer 1

Auscultation means listening to the sounds of different body organs using a stethoscope.

In Abdominal examination, the examiner uses a stethoscope to listen to bowel sounds. In comparison to palpation and percussion, the auscultation has a minor role in the abdominal examination.

The second and main reason for doing auscultation prior is, palpation and percussion are involving in vigorously touching and examining the abdomen which may alter the bowel sound of the client due to physical manipulation of the abdominal cavity.