Abdominal Examination: Procedure and Documentation

Percussion: Evaluating Tympany, Dullness, and Organ Enlargement

Abdominal percussion is a fundamental technique in clinical examination that helps assess the underlying organs and detect abnormalities. Percussion identifies tympany, dullness, and potential organ enlargement, providing essential diagnostic insights.

Procedure of Abdominal Percussion

• Positioning the Patient: Ensure the patient is lying supine with a relaxed abdomen.
• Starting at the Quadrants: Begin by gently tapping over each quadrant using the plexor finger.
• Assessing Tympany: Tympany is typically heard over air-filled structures, such as the stomach and intestines.
• Detecting Dullness: Dullness suggests the presence of solid organs, fluid accumulation, or masses.
• Evaluating Liver and Spleen Size: Percussing the liver and spleen borders helps determine organ enlargement.

Clinical Significance

Percussion assists in diagnosing conditions like ascites, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and abdominal masses. Abnormal findings warrant further investigations such as imaging and laboratory tests.

Documentation Guidelines

• Record normal and abnormal sounds detected during percussion.
• Note the presence of organ enlargement or fluid accumulation.
• Correlate findings with patient symptoms and previous diagnostic reports.