Which technique should the nurse use to measure the liver span of a client admitted with cirrhosis?

A. Auscultation
B. Percussion
C. Inspection
D. Palpation


B
Although the liver edge can be felt on palpation, percussion is used to determine the span of the liver and other solid organs. The nurse percusses down the midclavicular line below the right nipple until resonance changes to dullness. The nurse marks this area as the upper border of the liver. The nurse then percusses up from the iliac crest in the midclavicular line until the percussion notes change from tympany to dullness, indicating the lower border of the liver. The nurse marks this area and measures the distance between the two marks (the liver span), which is normally 5 to 10 cm.

Nursing

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