THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES

FACULTY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

THE UWI SCHOOL OF NURSING, MONA

NURS 2117: Health Assessment

PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT EVALUATION TOOL (with normal findings)

DATE: ____________________
Student’s Name: _________________________________________ ID: _______________________

KEY O-Outstanding (3 points), S-Satisfactory (2 points), NI-Needs Improvement (1 point), 0 point-omitted task

Physical Assessment of Abdomen

Physical Assessment of Abdomen O S NI 0 REMARKS/Normal findings

1- Preparation of patient ● Empty the bladder

● To lie supine with the arms resting by the sides
● Provide a flat pillow & flex the clients legs by placing a pillow
● Drape client so abdomen is visible from lower rib cage to pubic area
2- Inspect the abdomen: Skin may be paler than the general skin tone. Note for striae. No scar, lesions and
a) Skin condition rashes noted.
b) Symmetry Abdomen is symmetric. No bulging noted when client raises head.
c) Umbilicus Skin tone similar to surrounding skin. Umbilicus is in midline at lateral line. No
recessed or protruded umbilicus is seen.
d) Contour Abdomen is flat, evenly rounded or scaphoid.
e) Movements (respiration, aortic Respiratory movement may be seen in males. No pulsation of the abdominal aorta
pulsation, peristalsis) is seen (slight pulsation may be seen in thin people). No peristaltic waves are seen

UWISON 2013, 2018 Physical Assessment- Abdomen

Physical Assessment of Abdomen O S NI 0 REMARKS/Normal findings
3- Auscultate the abdomen: Series of intermittent clicks and gurgles are heard at the rate of 5-30/minute. No
a) bowel sounds hypo or hyper active (borborygmi) bowel sounds heard.
b) vascular sounds (Use of bell) No bruits heard

4- Percuss the abdomen: Tympany heard over the abdomen. Normal dullness is heard over liver and spleen
a) general tympany
b) liver span Normal liver span is 6-12cm.

c) splenic dullness Dullness heard at approximately 7cm wide near the left 10th rib.

d) costovertebral angle tenderness No tenderness is elicited.

5- Palpate the abdomen: Abdomen is nontender and soft. There is no guarding.

a) Light palpation
b) Deep palpation Normal (mild) tenderness is possible. No palpable masses are present. Umbilical
area is free of swelling, bulges or masses.

6- Palpate the following organs: The liver is not palpable. If the lower edge is felt, it is smooth, firm and even. Mild
a) Liver tenderness is possible. No nodules or hardness felt

b) Kidneys Kidneys not palpable. If the lower pole is palpable, it is firm and smooth and
rounded. Bladder is not palpable.

c) Spleen Spleen is rarely palpable at the left costal margin. If palpated it is soft and
nontender.

7- Rebound tenderness No rebound pain is elicited

8- Documentation

UWISON 2013, 2018 Physical Assessment- Abdomen

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Evaluators: _________________________

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UWISON 2013, 2018 Physical Assessment- Abdomen