How do you document a pregnant abdomen?

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  1. Facing the patient’s head, place hands on either side of the top of the uterus and gently apply pressure.
  2. Move the hands and palpate down the abdomen.
  3. One side will feel fuller and firmer – this is the back. Fetal limbs may be palpable on the opposing side.

What is abdominal examination in pregnancy?

Abdominal examination is carried out to determine that the fetus is growing and developing in accordance to the gestational age. The examination should include: visual signs of pregnancy including size and shape of the abdomen. assessment of fetal size by symphysis – fundal height measurement. location of fetal parts.

How would you describe your stomach in a physical exam?

Abdomen is soft, symmetric, and non-tender without distention. There are no visible lesions or scars. The aorta is midline without bruit or visible pulsation. Umbilicus is midline without herniation.

What is palpable in pregnancy?

In pregnancy, the uterus increases in size to accommodate the developing fetus. At approximately 12 weeks gestation the uterus becomes large enough to be palpable just above the pubic symphysis.

Is a soft abdomen normal?

Normal: Abdomen is soft, rectus muscle is relaxed and no discomfort is elicited during palpation.

What is normal shape of abdomen?

The normal contour of the abdomen is typically flat or rounded. A concave contour (inward curve of the abdomen that looks sunken in) is concerning because it can be associated with dehydration and malnutrition, and sometimes with anorexia nervosa and cancer.

What should you feel when palpating the abdomen?

In palpating the abdomen, one should first gently examine the abdominal wall with the fingertips. This will demonstrate the crunching feeling of crepitus of the abdominal wall, a sign of gas or fluid within the subcutaneous tissues.

What are the 4 parts in order for abdominal assessment?

The abdominal examination consists of four basic components: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. It is important to begin with the general examination of the abdomen with the patient in a completely supine position. The presence of any of the following signs may indicate specific disorders.

What does uterus not palpable mean?

I had me check on my 14th week of pregnancy… when I was going thrgh the notes it was written “UT is not palpable” P/A. This means i guess my gynec did not felt my uterus yet or my utwrus is not big enough to felt.

Should abdomen be dull or tympanic?

The anterior gas-filled abdomen normally has a tympanitic sound to percussion, which is replaced by dullness where solid viscera, fluid, or stool predominate. The flanks are duller as posterior solid structures predominate, and the right upper quadrant is somewhat duller over the liver.

Is tympany normal in abdomen?

Normal findings on percussion include tympany over the stomach, epigastric area, and upper midline, and dullness over the liver, a full bladder, a pregnant uterus and the left lower quadrant over the sigmoid colon (if the patient is ready to have a bowel movement).

What is Tympanitic abdomen?

(TIM-puh-NY-teez) Swelling of the abdomen caused by gas in the intestines or peritoneal cavity. Also called meteorism.

What are the physical examination of a pregnant woman?

Obstetric examination focuses on uterine size, fundal height (in cm above the symphysis pubis), fetal heart rate and activity, and maternal diet, weight gain, and overall well-being. Speculum and bimanual examination is usually not needed unless vaginal discharge or bleeding, leakage of fluid, or pain is present.

How does your lower stomach feel in early pregnancy?

Lower abdominal pain is normal during pregnancy and is most common between 18 and 24 weeks. Your growing uterus is pulling and straining the muscles that support it. You may feel sharp pains or just a mild pulling sensation. It often occurs when you cough, sneeze, stand up, sit down, roll over, or during sex.

What is a palpable uterus?

The uterus is usually palpable when the abdominal fingers are just above the symphysis. However, large masses can be missed unless the palpation begins at the umbilicus and moves downward. It is not always possible to palpate the uterus or the ovaries in patients who are obese.

Does your stomach feel soft when pregnant?

Depending on your stage of pregnancy, your body type, and even the time of day, sometimes your belly will feel soft and other times it will feel tight and hard. The reality is, there’s no normal to compare yourself with. Pregnant bellies come in all shapes, sizes, and firmness.

Why do doctors tap their fingers on your abdomen?

An abdominal tap can help diagnose the cause of fluid buildup or the presence of an infection. It may also be done to remove a large amount of fluid to reduce belly pain.

What does soft and tender abdomen mean?

Abdominal tenderness is generally a sign of inflammation or other acute processes in one or more organs. The organs are located around the tender area. Acute processes mean sudden pressure caused by something. For example, twisted or blocked organs can cause point tenderness.

What causes a protruding abdomen?

Functional reasons for a distended abdomen tend to involve digestive problems that cause gas and/or digestive contents to accumulate. Causes might include: Gas from functional indigestion, food intolerances or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Constipation causing a build-up of feces and back-up of digestive contents.

Why do doctors press on your lower abdomen?

Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.

What is contour of the abdomen?

The abdominal contour is primarily defined by our abdominal musculature. Sometimes, however, even those of us dedicated to exercising our core find a stubborn layer of fat or loose skin blocks our hard earned musculature.

What does a hard tummy mean?

When your stomach swells and feels hard, the explanation might be as simple as overeating or drinking carbonated drinks, which is easy to remedy. Other causes may be more serious, such as an inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the accumulated gas from drinking a soda too quickly can result in a hard stomach.

What is the proper sequence for abdominal assessment?

The physical examination of the patient begins with inspection. Unique to the sequence of the abdomen, the abdomen is then auscultated, percussed and finally, palpated.

When palpating the abdomen during a physical examination the abdomen is divided into?

The abdomen can be divided into 4 quadrants, with vertical and horizontal lines intersecting at the umbilicus. The quadrants are then named in clockwise direction: right upper, left upper, left lower and right lower quadrants.

How do you describe normal bowel sounds?

Normal: Bowel sound consist of clicks and gurgles and 5-30 per minute. An occasional borborygmus (loud prolonged gurgle) may be heard.

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