A 45-year-old man is in the clinic for a physical examination. During the abdominal assessment, the nurse percusses the abdomen and notices an area of dullness above the right costal margin of approximately 11 cm. The nurse should:
a. Document the presence of hepatomegaly.
b. Ask additional health history questions regarding his alcohol intake.
c. Describe this dullness as indicative of an enlarged liver, and refer him to a physician.
d. Consider this finding as normal, and proceed with the examination.
ANS: D
A liver span of 10.5 cm is the mean for males and 7 cm for females. Men and taller individuals are at the upper end of this range. Women and shorter individuals are at the lower end of this range. A liver span of 11 cm is within normal limits for this individual.
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