Running Head: Critical  

Reflection In Physical Assessment Focusing In Abdominal Assessment Using The  

Technique Of Hiapp (History, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion And   Palpation)

CRITICAL   REFLECTION IN PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

FOCUSING IN ABDOMINAL ASSESSMENT USING THE  

TECHNIQUE OF HIAPP (HISTORY, INSPECTION,

AUSCULTATION, PERCUSSION AND   PALPATION)

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Critical   Reflection In Physical Assessment Focusing In Abdominal Assessment Using The   Technique Of
Hiapp (History, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion And   Palpation)

Table of Contents

Description.................................................................................................................................3

Feeling........................................................................................................................................3

Evaluation..................................................................................................................................4

Analysis......................................................................................................................................4

Conclusion..................................................................................................................................5

Action plan.................................................................................................................................5

Reference list..............................................................................................................................6
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Critical   Reflection In Physical Assessment Focusing In Abdominal Assessment Using The   Technique Of
Hiapp (History, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion And   Palpation)

Description

During my second year, I was working in the pathology sector under the supervision

of my mentor. Then a woman named Mrs. Jones (pseudonym) came for an ultra-sonography

as she was feeling pain in her abdomen and her doctor had suggested doing the sonography.

Since I was in charge of the patient to make her ready I asked her whether she was feeling ok

and provide her with the guidance such as provide head and knee support with the pillow and

the way she can stretch on the physical examination bed while having her hands by her side

and the way the doctor can handle her situation (NCBI, 2020). While talking to her I came to

know that she had recently gone through a surgery that has been performed in her abdomen

due to gall bladder. Since my mentor was busy with another patient, the doctor came and

without washing his hand or using alcohol gel first, she performed the test. I feel like

corrected to him since the doctor must first clean, however, when I thought of saying

something he had performed her examination.

Feeling

I was in confusion as well as alarmed by the sudden behaviour of the doctor as I know

that the doctors have to wash their hands with alcohol-based gel to disinfect. However, I

could not say something since I am just a second-year nursing student and the doctor is much

more senior than me. Moreover, I did not want to say something that can disrespect his

authority. Apart from that, I also did not want to alarm the patient who was already in pain.

Later, I talk to this with my mentor and told me about my discomfort. She then talked to the

doctor about the situation and to his surprise, he felt remorse and said that he would

remember to wash his hands before performing every examination.

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Critical   Reflection In Physical Assessment Focusing In Abdominal Assessment Using The   Technique Of
Hiapp (History, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion And   Palpation)

Evaluation

I always understand that the safety of the patients are the foremost priorities for the

healthcare staff and while evaluating the experience I think that the incident has taught me

critical thinking abilities and problem-solving skills which further can provide me with role

satisfaction (Sherwood et al. 2017). After talking to my mentor regarding the incident, I

noticed that the doctor always sanitize his hands before handling a patient. The incident also

taught me that while dealing with abdominal patients, it is essential to always perform

Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation as well as Percussion so that the examination can be done

perfectly. Also, I need to maintain hygiene and no matter, how tired I am it is my topmost

priority to safeguard the patient’s wellbeing.

Analysis

While analyzing the importance of hand sanitization and the proper method of

examining a patient during the abdomen inspection, it can be said that for health professional

examining is essential through the proper method of HIAPP as it provides a glimpse in the

patient history and understands the process of managing the patients effectively. Moreover,

hygiene is one essential factor that needs to be maintained so that the chances of cross-

infection can be lowered especially while handling a patient that has gone through operations

in recent times. Moreover, as per the guidelines of the Department of Health staff can also

transmit the infection via uniforms or hands which is why in terms of managing the public

health the healthcare department of the hospitals need to be careful

(Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au, 2020). Therefore, as a student nurse, it is also my

responsibility to look after the health of patients while maintaining my own hygiene. As

suggested by Smikle (2017), all professionals, be it a nurse or other healthcare professions

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Critical   Reflection In Physical Assessment Focusing In Abdominal Assessment Using The   Technique Of
Hiapp (History, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion And   Palpation)

need to acquire better knowledge regarding the safeguarding of the patients to fulfil the duties

of the professionals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I can say that it falls under my responsibility to look after the

healthcare of the patients so that they do not have to go through another health-related

challenge which is why I should have intervened when I watched the incident from

happening. I feel like I have individual strength to identify the needs of the patients and at the

same time, I feel like I have learned a lot from the incident which helped me to identify that I

need to build up my confidence and I need to speak up when it comes to my patients’ health.

I also need to help my colleagues in case I see something like this happening again as it is my

responsibility.

Action plan

In future, I will like to grow my communication skills and my assertive skills so that I

can help the colleagues with my knowledge and maintain the well-being of the patients who

depend on us for good treatment. I will also like to enhance my learning skills of nursing and

want to grow experience regarding the skills and knowledge of making the patents

comfortable and help them to be well while discussing everything with my team members.
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Critical   Reflection In Physical Assessment Focusing In Abdominal Assessment Using The   Technique Of
Hiapp (History, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion And   Palpation)

Reference list

NCBI, (2020). Chapter 93Inspection, Auscultation, Palpation, and Percussion of the

Abdomen. Retrieved on: 1st October 2020. Retrieved from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/

Nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au, (2020). A podcast of conversations about public safety and

health care. Retrieved on: 1st October 2020. Retrieved from:

https://www.ahpra.gov.au/News/2020-01-21-Media-release-Podcast-channel.aspx

Sherwood , G., Koshy Cherian , U., Horton-Deutsch , S., Kitzmiller , R., & Smith-Miller , C.

(2018). Reflective practices: Meaningful recognition for healthy work

environments. Nursing Management (2014+), 24(10), 30.

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/nm.2018.e1684

Smikle , M. (2017). Preparing supervisors to provide safeguarding supervision for healthcare

staff. Nursing Management (2014+), 24(8), 34.

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/nm.2017.e1683
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Critical   Reflection In Physical Assessment Focusing In Abdominal Assessment Using The   Technique Of
Hiapp (History, Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion And   Palpation)