abdomen
Last reviewed 01/2018
The examination of the abdomen in the secondary survey should entail:
- look for:
- bruising in the distribution of a seat belt; may be indicative of intra-abdominal trauma
- distention
- feel for tenderness
- auscultation; absence of bowel sounds may indicate intra-abdominal pathology
- further investigations as indicated:
- abdominal X-ray film
- ultrasound
- diagnostic peritoneal lavage