physical assessment

[rn2b5]

When performing a physical examination on a client with hypoactive bowel sounds; can one palpate the abdomen? And ow would it be documented on a physical assessment sheet? https://allnurses.com/forums/images/smilies/added/banghead.gif

[JRD2002]

You should always auscultate bowel sounds before performing palpation. If I heard hypoactive bowel sounds I would mark on the assessment hypoactive and then palpate. Don't auscultate after palpating the abdomen. More than likely palpation will increase bowel sounds temporarily and you will begin to second guess your original assessment. The only time I would leave off the palpation is when the patient has had a fresh open abdominal surgery and after inspecting the abdomen I have noticed an abnormality.

Hope this helped answer your question.