Assessment of the Abdomen
Before we proceed in discussing how to do a health assessment of the abdomen, let’s review first what you have learned from your anatomy and physiology course about the gastrointestinal and renal system. Knowing the location and functions of the organ helps you identify landmarks for assessment, determine reasons for patients concerning symptoms, take precautionary measures in performing assessment, and determine findings that need immediate attention.
You will encounter many terms that you need to be familiar with in order to perform abdominal assessment efficiently. Knowing these terms help you during reporting and documentation, and also not be lost during communication when they are used.