The nurse is watching a new graduate nurse perform auscultation of a patient's abdomen. Which statement by the new graduate shows a correct understanding of the reason auscultation precedes percussion and palpation of the abdomen?

A. Determine areas of tenderness: While identifying tenderness is important, it is not the reason for auscultating first. B. Allows the patient to relax: Relaxation is helpful but not the primary reason for the sequence. C. Prevents distortion of bowel sounds: Percussion and palpation can stimulate or suppress bowel sounds, leading to inaccurate findings if performed before auscultation. D. Prevents distortion of vascular sounds: Vascular sounds (bruits) are less likely to be affected by percussion or palpation.