Which intervention is performed last during abdominal examination for a patient with pain?

During an abdominal examination, the sequence of assessment is crucial for obtaining accurate information while minimizing discomfort for the patient. The intervention of palpating the painful area is performed last because it can provoke pain and discomfort.

Starting an examination with palpation of areas that may be painful can elicit an exaggerated response from the patient and can lead to guarding or rigidness of the abdomen, which may obscure the findings of the overall examination. Therefore, it is advised to start with less invasive assessments such as evaluating bowel sounds or assessing for liver enlargement, which can be done without causing discomfort.

After initial assessments are completed, palpating the painful area is undertaken last to gather more specific information, keeping in mind that patients often tense up when a painful area is examined too early in the process. This approach ensures that the examination is as thorough as possible while managing the patient's comfort and response effectively.