How to Examine the Abdomen

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HealthWiki > Where Women Have No Doctor > Health Care Skills > How to Examine the Abdomen

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

To find out why there is pain in the lower abdomen, first read Chapter 21, “Pain in the Lower Abdomen” and ask the questions at the end of the chapter.

Then examine the abdomen:

1. Ask the person to undress enough so you can see the area from below the breasts to where the pubic hair begins.





2. Have the person lie flat on their back on a firm bed, a table, or a clean floor. Ask them to relax their abdominal muscles as much as possible. This may be difficult for someone who is in pain.




3. Listen for bubbling and gurgling noises by putting your ear on their abdomen. If you do not hear anything for 2 minutes, this is a danger sign.




4. Ask the person to point to where it hurts most. Then begin pressing gently on the other side. Keep pressing gently as you move around the abdomen and notice where it hurts most.




5. As you press the abdomen, feel for lumps. Also, feel if the abdomen is soft or hard, and ask if the person can soften or relax it under your hand.




6. Notice if the person has a very sharp pain if you press the abdomen and then quickly remove your hand (rebound pain). This may be a sign of a serious infection. If the person has rebound pain, or severe pain in the lower right part of the abdomen, go immediately to a health center or hospital to see if surgery is needed. Otherwise, continue your examination by looking at the outside of the genitals for sores, discharge, bleeding, or other signs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which could be the cause of the pain. If you know how, do a pelvic exam (see the next section).

This page was updated:13 Nov 2023