How is abdominal tenderness typically assessed?

Abdominal tenderness is typically assessed by gently palpating the abdomen. This technique involves the healthcare provider using their hands to press on the abdominal region, which allows them to feel for any abnormal reactions or pain responses from the patient. When pressure is applied during palpation, the provider can observe the patient's facial expressions and body language, which may indicate tenderness or discomfort.

Palpation can help to identify various conditions, such as organ enlargement, masses, or areas of acute discomfort that might suggest underlying issues like inflammation or injury. By being gentle and specifically focused on areas where the patient reports pain, the clinician can gather essential information regarding the patient's abdominal health.

Other methods, such as auscultation for bowel sounds, observation for swelling, or percussion for sounds, are not sufficient for assessing tenderness because they do not involve the direct interaction with the abdomen that palpation provides. Tenderness is a subjective experience and is best assessed through a physical examination approach that enables the clinician to elicit a pain response.