A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has long-term symptoms of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the educational materials?

Choice A Reason: Superficial palpation

Superficial palpation is typically performed after auscultation to avoid altering bowel sounds. It involves gently pressing on the abdomen to detect tenderness, masses, or other abnormalities. This step helps in identifying areas that may require deeper examination.

Choice B Reason: Auscultation

Auscultation is performed after inspection and before palpation to listen to bowel sounds without interference. Using a stethoscope, the nurse listens for the presence, frequency, and character of bowel sounds. This step is crucial as palpation can stimulate bowel activity, potentially leading to inaccurate findings.

Choice C Reason: Inspection

Inspection is the first step in an abdominal assessment. The nurse visually examines the abdomen for any abnormalities such as distension, scars, or discoloration. This step provides initial information about the child’s abdominal health and helps guide the subsequent steps of the assessment.

Choice D Reason: Deep palpation

Deep palpation is performed last to assess the deeper structures of the abdomen. This step involves applying more pressure to feel for masses, organ size, and tenderness. It is important to perform this step last to avoid causing discomfort or altering the findings of the other assessment steps.

Choice A Reason: Portal of entry

The client’s mouth serves as the portal of entry in the chain of infection. The portal of entry is the route through which an infectious agent enters the host. In the case of hepatitis A, the virus enters the body through the mouth when contaminated food or water is ingested. This link is crucial in the chain of infection as it determines how the pathogen gains access to the host’s body.

Choice B Reason: Susceptible host

A susceptible host is an individual who is at risk of infection due to factors such as a weakened immune system, age, or underlying health conditions. While the client in this scenario may be a susceptible host, the mouth specifically represents the portal of entry, not the host itself.

Choice C Reason: Infectious agent

The infectious agent is the pathogen that causes the disease. In this case, the infectious agent is the hepatitis A virus. The mouth is not the infectious agent but rather the entry point for the virus into the body.

Choice D Reason: Reservoir

A reservoir is the habitat in which the infectious agent normally lives, grows, and multiplies. Common reservoirs include humans, animals, and the environment. The client’s mouth is not a reservoir but the portal of entry for the hepatitis A virus.