Abdominal Examination - Palpation

Palpation

• All 9 areas - light then deep.
• In light palpation, note any palpable mass.
• In deep palpation, detail examination of the mass, found in light palpation, and Liver & Spleen
• Palpate the painful point at the end.

Assessing muscle tone- This is done by pressing a hand against the abdominal wall. There are 3 reactions that indicate pathology:

• guarding (muscles contract as pressure is applied)
• rigidity (rigid abdominal wall- indicates peritoneal inflammation)
• rebound (release of pressure causes pain)

• hernial orifices if positive cough impulses