Abdominal Palpation

Question 1

Before we begin abdominal palpation, what are the 5 steps we must take?

Answer 1

1. Explanation of procedure
2. Gain consent from client
3. Ensure the client has an empty bladder
4. Have client lie in semi recombinant position
5. Wash hands before patient contact

Question 2

What are the 4 stages of the abdominal palpation process?

Answer 2

1. Fundal palpation
2. Lateral palpation
3. Pelvic palpation
4. Auscultation

Question 3

What are we trying to establish during abdominal palpation? There are 6 things.

Answer 3

Foetal lie, foetal position, location of foetal parts, foetal height, gestation of foetus, determine engagement of the foetal head.

Question 4

What are the three types of foetal presentation?

Answer 4

1. Cephalic
2. Breech
3. Transverse

Question 5

What are the three types of lateral lie?

Answer 5

1. Longitudinal
2. Transverse
3. Oblique

Question 6

What three things can we use to auscultate the foetal heart?

Answer 6

1. Pinnard stethoscope
2. Foetal Doppler
3. Ultrasound

Question 7

What do we look for during a general examination of the woman’s abdomen? Why?

Answer 7

1. Any scars- to determine previous cesarian section, self harm, domestic abuse.
2. Stretch marks- has there been sudden weight gain? Fluid retention- could be a potential symptom of pre eclampsia.

Question 8

When carrying out abdominal palpation, we must ensure the tape measure used is…?

Answer 8

Blind side up and non elastic.

Question 9

What are the 5 types of fetal presentation?

Answer 9

Vertex 
Brow 
Face 
Shoulder 
Breech

Question 10

Define:

• occipitoanterior
• occipitotransverse
• occipitoposterior

Answer 10

Occipitoanterior- back of head (occipital) is at the front of the pelvis.
Occipitotransverse-back of head is at either side on the pelvis (right or left).
Occipitoposterior- back of head is at the back of the pelvis.

Question 11

Define ‘fetal lie’.

Answer 11

Relationship of the long axis of the foetus to the long axis of the uterus.

Question 12

What does LOA, LOT, LOP, ROA, ROT, ROP stand for?

Answer 12

Left occipitoanterior 
Left occipitotransverse
Left occipitoposterior 
Right occipitoanterior 
Right occipitotransverse 
Right occipitoposterior

Question 13

When undertaking a fundal palpation, which points do we measure from/to?

Answer 13

The top of the fundus (upper muscle of the uterus) to the symphysis pubis.

Question 13

What do we measure pelvic palpation in?

Answer 13

5ths palpable. I.e. How many 5ths of the babies head can we feel, and therefore how many 5ths are engaged in the woman’s pelvis.