A nurse is assisting a healthcare provider in performing a physical examination of a client with a suspected umbilical hernia. Which of the following assessment techniques is specifically used to assess for this type of hernia?

Choice A reason:

Ultrasound may be used to assess some types of hernias, but it is not the most commonly used imaging study for assessing incisional hernias.

Choice B reason:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) provides detailed images and may be used for assessing hernias, but it is not the most commonly used imaging study for incisional hernias.

Choice C reason:

This statement is correct. A CT (Computed Tomography) scan is most commonly used to assess incisional hernias as it provides detailed cross-sectional images of the abdominal wall and herniated tissues.

Choice D reason:

X-rays are not typically used to assess incisional hernias. X-rays provide limited information on soft tissues and are more commonly used for bone-related assessments.

Choice A reason:

This statement is correct. Palpation of the abdominal area is specifically used to assess for umbilical hernias. The nurse will feel for a bulge or protrusion around the umbilical region when the client coughs or strains.

Choice B reason:

Auscultation of bowel sounds is a general assessment technique used to listen to the bowel sounds in the abdomen and is not specific to umbilical hernias.

Choice C reason:

Inspection of the oral cavity is not relevant to assessing for umbilical hernias. It is used for oral and dental examinations.

Choice D reason:

Percussion of the lung fields is not relevant to assessing for umbilical hernias. It is used to assess the lungs for abnormalities.