Abdominal Examination
A complete structured abdominal examination, from preparation and consent through inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation, to completion and presentation of findings.
Suggested time: 10 minutes
0 of 0 steps marked
Score 0%
Candidate instructions
Please perform an abdominal examination on this patient. You do not need to perform a digital rectal examination or examine the external genitalia. Report your findings at the end of the station.
Patient / examiner brief
You are a patient attending clinic with several weeks of abdominal discomfort. You are comfortable at rest. If the student presses deeply in the right upper quadrant, report mild tenderness.
Equipment
Examination couch, Pillow, Stethoscope, Hand sanitiser, Blanket or sheet for draping, Tape measure (optional)
Key signs to look for
Clubbing, Palmar erythema, Leukonychia, Koilonychia, Asterixis, Scleral icterus, Spider naevi, Gynaecomastia, Caput medusae, Hepatomegaly, Splenomegaly, Shifting dullness
To complete the examination
To complete my examination I would examine the external genitalia, perform a digital rectal examination, examine the hernial orifices, review the observation chart and dip the urine.
Presenting your findings
Present in a structured way: patient context, relevant positive findings, relevant negative findings, a one-line summary, and your suggested next steps.
Common mistakes
- • Forgetting to ask about pain before palpating
- • Palpating deeply from the start rather than starting light and away from the pain
- • Not watching the patient's face during palpation
- • Exposing the patient inappropriately or failing to re-cover them
- • Starting liver and spleen palpation too close to the costal margin
- • Rushing straight to the abdomen without inspecting the hands, face and around the bed