What is the correct sequence to perform during an abdominal assessment for a client with pain?

During an abdominal assessment, especially in a patient reporting pain, the priority is to minimize discomfort and obtain accurate findings. The correct sequence—asking the client to urinate, then auscultating, percussing, and lastly palpating—ensures that the assessment process is both respectful of the patient's condition and structured logically.

Asking the client to urinate before beginning the assessment is crucial, as a full bladder can cause unnecessary pain and could lead to misleading findings. Once the bladder is emptied, auscultation is performed next. This step assesses bowel sounds without the interference that might occur if the abdomen is palpated first, which could cause increased bowel activity or change the sounds.

Percussion is the next step, helping to assess the presence of fluid, masses, or organ size without applying pressure that could exacerbate any underlying pain. Finally, palpation is done last, as it involves direct contact and pressure on the abdomen, which could be uncomfortable for a patient experiencing pain.

Thus, this sequence ensures a thorough and considerate approach to assessing abdominal issues while minimizing discomfort for the patient.