Diagnostics and Assessment: Abdominal Pathophysiology
Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons why a person may visit their healthcare provider. Unfortunately, it can be caused by myriad conditions both chronic and acute. A thorough assessment of a patient’s history and physical symptoms is required to manage and treat abdominal pain. Examinations are often complicated due to the number of organs in the abdomen. Knowing how to perform a comprehensive abdominal exam will help you provide better quality care.
Abdominal pain is one of the most common reasons why a person may visit their healthcare provider. Unfortunately, it can be caused by myriad conditions both chronic and acute. A thorough assessment of a patient’s history and physical symptoms is required to manage and treat abdominal pain. Examinations are often complicated due to the number of organs in the abdomen. Knowing how to perform a comprehensive abdominal exam will help you provide better quality care.
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.
Nurses will receive 1.50 Nursing Contact Hours after successfully completing this course.
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
Arkansas State Board Of Nursing Approved Continuing Education program (CEBroker Provider #50-290).
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
District of Columbia Board of Nursing
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
Florida Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Georgia Board of Nursing
Georgia Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Kentucky Board of Nursing
Kentucky Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
Mississippi Board of Nursing
Mississippi Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
New Mexico Board of Nursing
New Mexico Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
North Dakota Board of Nursing
North Dakota Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
South Carolina Board of Nursing
South Carolina Board of Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing
West Virginia Board of Registered Nursing (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Nurses will receive 1.50 contact hours for participating in this course.
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: Abdominal Symptoms and Causes
Sam’s Chief Complaint
Common Abdominal Symptoms
Abdominal Conditions
The Abdominal Organs
The Upper Abdomen
The Lower Abdomen
Review
Summary
Section 3: The Abdominal Assessment
Taking a Good History
Review
Preparing for the Physical Exam
Inspection
Auscultation
Percussion and Palpation
Percussion and Palpation: Specific Organs
Review
Summary
Section 4: Conclusion
Summary
Course Contributor
References
Annette Brownlee, BSN, RN is an SME Writer for the Post-Acute Care team. She has a Bachelor of Arts in advertising from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado. Annette has worked in skilled nursing and home health. Her most recent experience includes being a Staff Development Coordinator and Infection Preventionist.
The target audience for this course is: Nurses; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.
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.
