Abdominal Pathophysiology Diagnostics and Assessment
Certificates
American Nurses Credentialing Center
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.
California Board of Registered Nursing
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 13791
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Course Details
Describe the steps taken to complete a thorough abdominal exam.
Describe the most common causes of abdominal pain.
Differentiate between acute and non-acute abdominal symptoms.
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 started in nursing in 2007 after graduating from Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, California. While working in a critical care unit at Sutter Mills-Peninsula Hospital she earned her CCRN and TNCC. Her experience and knowledge led her to nursing education where she taught at a community college while working to receive 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. 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, M.S.
Mrs. Cobb is a Content Writer for Public Safety and Health and Human Services at Relias. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Correctional and Juvenile Justice Studies and a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Mrs. Cobb has 24 years of experience working in criminal and juvenile justice. She has worked in direct service positions as well as in research, training, and technical assistance capacities. 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 managing federal, state, and foundation grants awarded to the College of Medicine, Behavioral Science department, Center for Drug and Alcohol Research, and Kentucky Rural Medical Centers.Disclosure: Kimberly Cobb, M.S. has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
The target audience for this course is: Nurses; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
