1-16. EXAMINATION OF THE ABDOMEN 

a. Physical examination of the abdomen involves visual inspection, auscultation, and palpation.

It is best to perform this examination while the patient is resting in a supine position, knees slightly flexed to relax the abdominal muscles.

b. In order to facilitate the referencing of location, the abdomen is viewed as four quadrants or nine regions. The quadrant division is the most commonly used by nursing personnel. Refer to figure 1-3.

 

1-3 Abdominal Quadrants
Figure 1-3 Abdominal quadrants

The abdomen is divided by a vertical midline and a horizontal line through the navel. Note the organs located in each quadrant. Figure 1-4 illustrates the regional method of division. Again, note the organs underlying each region.

Figure 1-4 Abdominal regions
Figure 1-4 Abdominal regions

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