Procedure
- Ask the patient to breathe normally.
Normal breathing by the patient in no way affects inspection [Figure 10]. - Inspect all regions from various perspectives for a sufficient amount of time. Do not forget to inspect the groin region [Figure 11].
Smaller swellings are best observed by light that falls at a diagonal: the shadow allows for better detection of small curvatures. - Ask the patient to breathe in deeply several times, and cough once or twice.
- Observe the movement of the abdomen and ask about pain or any increase in pain.
Figure 10: Abdominal inspection
Figure 11: Inspection of the groin
Focus points
Draw conclusions about the following aspects:
- appearance of the abdominal skin;
vascular markings, striae, scars, dermatologic disorders - shape of the abdomen;
– diffuse abdominal swelling (e.g. due to obesity, fluid or air in the abdominal cavity)
– asymmetry due to larger swellings
– local swellings
– shape of the navel - movement of the abdomen.
– visible peristalsis (irregular and shifting position)
– visible pulsation (rhythmic and fixed)
– respiratory movement (during spontaneous and deep breathing); is the patient using abdominal breathing?
– does the pain increase when breathing deeply or coughing?