Question

During a client's routine physical examination, an abdominal aortic aneurysm is diagnosed. the client is admitted to the hospital immediately, and surgery is scheduled for the next morning. which clinical finding should the nurse expect when completing the admission assessment?

Answer 1

Upon abdominal physical examination, the nurse can note that there is a "point of maximal impulse" (just like in the heart) presenting as a mass on the center of the abdomen. When this point is palpated, there are palpable pulsations. Therefore, the nurse should expect palpating a palpable pulsating abdominal mass.