Reflection Questions
1
.
Why is identifying the patient’s pain in reference to one of the four quadrants important when assessing the abdomen?
2
.
Why is it important to ask about a patient’s diet and medication intake when assessing the abdomen?
3
.
When trying to identify what is causing the patient’s symptoms, such as diarrhea or constipation, what function of the abdomen should be recalled and what key questions should be asked?
4
.
What are important questions to ask during the patient interview that may be unique to the abdominal assessment?
5
.
How can pain be assessed during the abdominal exam for a patient who may be nonverbal?
6
.
When assessing for abdominal distention, how can one use the quadrant system on exam to narrow down organ involvement?
7
.
Why is obtaining the patient’s activity and diet, alcohol use, and drug use history important to inquire about when assessing the abdomen for hernias and organ involvement?