The patient should be lying supine on the exam table and appropriately draped. The examination room must be quiet to perform adequate auscultation and percussion. Watch the patient's face for signs of discomfort during the examination. Epigastric Periumbilical Suprapubic Disorders in the chest will often manifest with abdominal symptoms. It is always wise to examine the chest when evaluating an abdominal complaint.
Inspection Look for scars, striae, hernias, vascular changes, lesions, or rashes.
Note the abdominal contour. Auscultation Place the diaphragm of your stethoscope lightly on the abdomen. Listen for bruits over the renal arteries, iliac arteries, and aorta. Percussion Percuss in all four quadrants using proper technique . Categorize what you hear as tympanitic or dull.