A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a client. Identify the sequence of steps the nurse should take to conduct the assessment. 1) Auscultate the abdomen for bowel sounds. 2) Inspect the abdomen for skin integrity. 3) Ask if the client has abdominal pain. 4) Palpate the abdomen lightly for tenderness. 5) Percuss the abdomen in each of the four quadrants.

A. 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. Lightly palpate to assess for tenderness or masses. Percuss last to evaluate organ size and detect abnormal fluid or gas. B. 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. Lightly palpate to assess for tenderness or masses. Percuss last to evaluate organ size and detect abnormal fluid or gas. C. 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. Lightly palpate to assess for tenderness or masses. Percuss last to evaluate organ size and detect abnormal fluid or gas. D. 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. Lightly palpate to assess for tenderness or masses. Percuss last to evaluate organ size and detect abnormal fluid or gas.