The Art of Abdominal Palpation

To improve the results of your abdominalexaminations--while keepingpatients calm--start with yourhand flat in contact with the anteriorabdominal wall. Move with the patient'srespirations for 1 minute; thisreassures him or her that the examwill be gentle. Then begin to exertpressure slowly at the end of each inspirationand increase it during expiration;this way you are exploring theabdomen during the phase of respirationwhen the anterior abdominal wallis relaxed.-- Mohammed M. Basha, MD
  &nbspGainesville, Fla