EMILIO AGUINALDO COLLEGE

School of Nursing and Midwifery

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TOOL

PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT

Procedure 28-15: Assessing the Abdomen

NAME OF STUDENT:
SECTION/GROUP: Date:

LEGEND:
4 Very Satisfactorily Performed
(Student performs consistently in an effective and efficient manner)
3 Satisfactorily Performed
(Performance is usually effective and efficient but not always)
2 Fairly performed
(Progress in performance is too slow to judge satisfactorily; task performance is not properly for majority of the
time)
1 Poorly performed
(No progress in performance has been demonstrated, and or performance is consistently inefficient)

Procedure 28-15: Assessing the Abdomen

Preparation 4 3 2 1 REMARKS
1. Assemble equipment and supplies:
● Examining light
● Tape measure (metal or
unstretchable cloth)
● Water-soluble skin-marking
pencil
● Stethoscope
Procedure
1. Introduce yourself; explain to the
client what you are going to do,
why it is necessary, and how he can
cooperate.
2. Wash hands and observe other
appropriate infection control
procedures.
3. Provide for client privacy.
4. Determine client’s history of the
following:
● Incidence of abdominal pain: its
location, onset, sequence, and
chronology; its quality
(description); its frequency;
associated symptoms
● Bowel habits
● Incidence of constipation or
diarrhea
● Change in appetite
● Food intolerances
● Foods ingested in last 24 hours
● Specific signs and symptoms
● Previous problems and treatment
5. Assist the client to a supine
position, with the arms placed
comfortably at the sides.
Place small pillows beneath the knees
and the head to reduce tension in the
abdominal muscles. Expose only the
 client’s abdomen from chest line to
the pubic area to avoid chilling and
shivering, which can tense the
abdominal muscles.
Assessment

Inspection of the Abdomen

6. Inspect the abdomen for skin
integrity.
7. Inspect the abdomen for contour
and symmetry.
Observe the abdominal contour while
standing at the client’s side when the
client is supine.
Ask the client to take a deep breath
and to hold it.
Assess the symmetry of contour while
standing at the foot of the bed.
If distention is present, measure the
abdominal girth by placing a tape
around the abdomen at the level of
the umbilicus.
8. Observe abdominal movements
associated with respiration,
peristalsis, or aortic pulsations.
9. Observe the vascular pattern.

Auscultation of the Abdomen

10. Auscultate the abdomen for bowel
sounds, vascular sounds, and
peritoneal friction rubs.
Percussion of the Abdomen
11. Percuss several areas in each of the
four quadrants to determine
presence of tympany and dullness.
Use a systematic pattern: Begin in the
lower left quadrant, then proceed to
the lower right quadrant, the upper
right quadrant, and the upper left
quadrant.
Percussion of the Liver
12. Percuss the liver to determine its
size.
Palpation of the Abdomen
13. Perform light palpation first to
detect areas of tenderness and/or
muscle guarding.
Systematically explore all four
quadrants.
14. Perform deep palpation over all
four quadrants.
Palpation of the Liver
15. Palpate the liver to detect
enlargement and tenderness.
Palpation of the Bladder
16. Palpate the area above the pubic
symphysis if the client’s history
indicates possible urinary
retention.
17. Document findings in the client
record.
TOTAL
GRADING SYSTEM

Performance Score _________ x 90% = ______

Punctuality and Grooming _________ x 10% = ______

Total = ______

Evaluated by: Conformed by:

____________________________ ______________________________
Signature over printed name Signature over printed name