When assessing a patient's abdomen, the nurse recognizes the importance of reserving palpation as the last technique. What rationale would the nurse provide for this sequence?

Question

1. Early palpation may result in rebound pain.
2. The technique is likely to increase the patient's level of anxiety.
3. Most patients do not like being touched.
4. The pressure of palpation can interfere with hearing bowel sounds.

Answer 1

4
Rationale 1: The technique does not cause rebound pain, although it can cause general pain in the abdomen.
Rationale 2: Palpation itself does not generally contribute to a patient's anxiety.
Rationale 3: While some patients may be uncomfortable with being touched, that is not the reason for delaying the technique until last.
Rationale 4: Palpation is performed last in the assessment sequence because pressure on the abdominal wall and contents may interfere with bowel sounds and cause pain.