assess the abdomen and neurological system

The purpose of this assignment is to practice the skills you have learned and demonstrate your ability to assess the abdomen and neurological system.

Abdomen:

• Inspect the skin and contour of the abdomen
• Observe for peristalsis and pulsations
• Auscultate the abdomen
• Auscultate for bruits over the aorta, renal arteries, iliac arteries and femoral arteries
• Percuss the abdomen
• Palpate the abdomen (light then deep)
• Assess for peritoneal inflammation
  • Rebound tenderness
  • Murphy’s sign
  • Rovsing’s sign
  • Psoas sign
  • Obturator sign
  • Cutaneous hyperesthesia
• Percuss liver
• Palpate liver
• Percuss spleen
• Palpate spleen
• Palpate bilateral kidneys
  • Assess for CVA tenderness
• Palpate width of the aorta

Nervous system

• Assess mental status
• Cranial nerves 1-12
• Motor system: muscle bulk, tone strength, coordination, gait and stance
• Sensory system: pain/temp, vibration, light touch, discrimination
• Deep tendon reflexes