During an abdominal examination, which technique should be performed before percussion?

During an abdominal examination, which technique should be performed before percussion?

• A. Deep palpation.
• B. Auscultation.
• C. Light palpation.
• D. Palpation.

Answer: (B)

Auscultation is done first in an abdominal exam because listening to bowel and vascular sounds should be unaltered by touching or tapping the abdomen. If you palpate or percuss first, you can change the sounds—either making them louder or quieter—leading to inaccurate findings. By starting with auscultation, you get a true baseline of activity (presence, absence, frequency, and quality of sounds). After listening, you can proceed to percussion to assess air distribution and organ borders, and finally to palpation to evaluate tenderness, masses, or organ size.

Auscultation is done first in an abdominal exam because listening to bowel and vascular sounds should be unaltered by touching or tapping the abdomen. If you palpate or percuss first, you can change the sounds—either making them louder or quieter—leading to inaccurate findings. By starting with auscultation, you get a true baseline of activity (presence, absence, frequency, and quality of sounds). After listening, you can proceed to percussion to assess air distribution and organ borders, and finally to palpation to evaluate tenderness, masses, or organ size.