A nurse is precepting a new graduate nurse on the telemetry unit. The new graduate nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a hospitalized client without a history of gastrointestinal abnormalities. Click to indicate the corresponding number for each of the following assessment techniques in order of performance.

Assessment Technique 1 2 3 4 Percussion ✅ Inspection ✅ Palpation ✅ Auscultation ✅ Rationale: Begin with inspection to visually assess the abdomen for abnormalities. Auscultate before palpation and percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds. Determine areas of pain to avoid causing discomfort during palpation and percussion. Palpate to assess for tenderness or masses. Percuss last to evaluate organ size and detect abnormal fluid or gas.