In support of improving patient care, Relias LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 13791
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: The Basics of Abdominal Assessment
Sam’s Chief Complaint
Abdominal Exam: Gathering the Supplies and Taking a Good History
Interviewing the Patient: Duration and Timing, Factors, and Location of Symptoms
Interviewing the Patient: Associated Symptoms and Past Medical History
Interviewing the Patient: Medications, Contraception, and Social Habits
Sensitive Subject Matter
Details Matter
Maintaining Privacy for the Patient
Review
Summary
Section 3: Starting Your Exam: Inspection and Visualization
Appearance of the Abdomen: Contour and Symmetry
The Skin Surface
Pulsations, Movement, and Distension
Review
Summary
Section 4: Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation
Navigating the Abdomen
Bowel Sounds
Bruits, Hums, and Rubs
Percussion: The Basics
Normal Sounds of Percussion
Knowledge Check
The Liver
The Spleen
The Kidneys and the Aorta
The Lower Abdomen
Do I Need this Skill?
Positioning the Patient for Palpation
Other Considerations: Lymph Nodes, Age, and Medical Conditions
Review
Summary
Section 5: Abdominal Pain, Diagnostic Testing, and the Abdominal Organs
Abdominal Pain and Diagnostic Testing
Assessing the Left Upper Quadrant
Assessing the Right Upper Quadrant
The Lower Abdomen
Assessing the Left Lower Quadrant of the Abdomen
Assessing the Right Lower Quadrant of the Abdomen
Common Causes of Pain in the Right Lower Quadrant of the Abdomen
Knowledge Check
Less Common Causes of Abdominal Pain
Acute and Non-Acute Abdominal Symptoms
Review
Summary
Section 6: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Congratulations!
Elizabeth Kellerman, MSN, RN worked as a critical care nurse in an Intensive Care Unit of a community hospital and that experience provided significant training in caring for older adults. Her experience and knowledge led her to nursing education where she taught at a community college as she received her Master's in Nurse Education at Western Carolina University. As a nursing instructor, she spent time in many types of care settings including medical-surgical inpatient and community living centers. Her passion for education and training has most recently led her to a position as Subject Matter Expert and Content Writer for Relias. She is currently developing her medical writing skills through the University of California San Diego's medical writing program. Disclosure: Elizabeth Kellerman, MSN, RN has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.Staff Writer: Kimberly Cobb, MS
Mrs. Cobb is a Lead SME Writer/Trainer at Relias. Her primary writing responsibilities are in the Health and Human Services vertical, in the content areas of public safety and behavioral health. Mrs. Cobb is also the onboarding trainer for new Relias staff joining the Content Department. Mrs. Cobb has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Correctional and Juvenile Justice Studies and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. She has over 24 years of experience working in criminal and juvenile justice. Her work includes direct service, research, and training and technical assistance. She was the statewide evaluator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky for adult, juvenile, and family drug courts; a Research Associate for the American Probation & Parole Association providing training and technical assistance to Native American Nations/Alaska Native Villages on systemic criminal and juvenile justice initiatives; and a Research Administrator for the University of Kentucky. Disclosure: Kimberly Cobb, MS has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.