Nokea
During a physical assessment of adult clients, which of the following techniques should the nurse use?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step 1: Palpating the client's abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds is the correct technique during a physical assessment. This sequence is important because palpation can potentially disrupt bowel sounds, leading to inaccurate assessment results.
Step 2: Palpation helps to identify any tenderness, masses, or abnormalities in the abdomen before proceeding to auscultate bowel sounds. This way, any abnormal findings during palpation can be correlated with bowel sound assessment.
Step 3: By following this sequence, the nurse ensures a systematic and accurate assessment of the client's abdomen, which is crucial for detecting any gastrointestinal issues or abnormalities.
In summary, option B is correct because it follows the appropriate sequence of assessment techniques, ensuring a thorough and accurate evaluation of the client's abdomen. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not pertain to the correct sequence or technique for assessing the abdomen during a physical assessment.