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. The nurse preceptor reminds the new graduate nurse of normal and abnormal findings. Click to indicate whether the findings listed below are normal or abnormal.

Each category must have at least 1 response option selected Finding Normal Abnormal Tympany to percussion over the intestines ✅ Loose, watery stool ✅ Suprapubic tenderness ✅ A non-palpable spleen ✅ Aortic pulsation in the epigastric area ✅ Decreased bowel sounds ✅ Rationale: Tympany to percussion over the intestines (Normal): Tympany is expected due to the presence of gas in the intestines. Loose, watery stool (Abnormal): This is indicative of diarrhea, which may point to gastrointestinal upset or infection. Suprapubic tenderness (Abnormal): Tenderness in this area may indicate bladder infection, inflammation, or pelvic issues. A non-palpable spleen (Normal): The spleen is generally not palpable in healthy individuals unless it is enlarged (splenomegaly). Aortic pulsation in the epigastric area (Normal): Mild pulsations may be felt in thin or normal-weight individuals. However, a widened or strong pulsation could suggest an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Decreased bowel sounds (Abnormal): Hypoactive or absent bowel sounds may indicate decreased intestinal motility, such as in ileus or peritonitis.