questions regarding diagnosis

nrsman1 · Jul 10, 2008

I believe abd distention is any time the abd is protruding past its normal size. This does not include weight, it is usually gas or fluid, but may me a mass. As far as relating it to pain. you might say something like pain secondary to abdominal distenstion as evidence by patient complaints. I hope this helps you.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2008

distend - (page 562, taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary, 18th edition, published in 1997 by f.a. davis company) 1. to stretch out. 2. to become inflated.

abdominal distension - (from page 2, nurse's 5-minute clinical consult: signs & symptoms from lippincott williams & wilkins)

"increased abdominal girth from increased intra-abdominal pressure
occurs when increased fluid and gas can't pass freely through the gi tract
can be mild or severe, localized or diffuse, and gradual or sudden
physical assessment
- observe the recumbent patient for abdominal asymmetry and contour
- check for localized distension which may cause a sensation of pressure, fullness or tenderness
- assess for generalized distension, which may cause bloating, heart pounding, and difficulty breathing when lying flat or breathing deeply
- inspect for tense, glistening skin and bulging flanks, which may indicate ascites
- observe for everted or inverted umbilicus
- inspect the abdomen for signs of incisional, inguinal or femoral hernia
- auscultate for bowel sounds, abdominal rubs, and bruits
- percuss and palpate the abdomen
- obtain vital signs, abdominal girth and weight"

can i use it as a related factor in a nursing diagnosis like acute pain?

some instructors might quibble about

distension

being a medical decision. to be on the safe side, be more specific about the cause of the swelling that is setting off the pain receptors. this means you need to know the pathology of the distension. for example,

acute pain r/t retention of gi secretions

or

acute pain r/t retention of air in the gi track