What were the findings when inspecting the abdomen for injuries?

What were the findings when inspecting the abdomen for injuries?

• A. Abdomen distended with tenderness.
• B. Ecchymosis on the abdomen.
• C. No abnormalities are noted.
• D. Visible peritoneal signs.

Answer: (C)

In a trauma abdominal assessment, you’re looking for external signs of injury on the skin and surface. If the finding is that no abnormalities are noted, the abdomen appears normal on inspection—no distention, no bruising, and no visible surface injury. This doesn’t rule out internal injury, but it means there are no outward, visible signs at this moment. Distention with tenderness, ecchymosis, or signs of peritoneal irritation (which are detected through palpation, not just sight) would indicate problems beyond a normal inspection. So the best description of what you’d see on inspection in this scenario is an abdomen with no abnormalities noted.

In a trauma abdominal assessment, you’re looking for external signs of injury on the skin and surface. If the finding is that no abnormalities are noted, the abdomen appears normal on inspection—no distention, no bruising, and no visible surface injury. This doesn’t rule out internal injury, but it means there are no outward, visible signs at this moment. Distention with tenderness, ecchymosis, or signs of peritoneal irritation (which are detected through palpation, not just sight) would indicate problems beyond a normal inspection. So the best description of what you’d see on inspection in this scenario is an abdomen with no abnormalities noted.