Patient Instructions — ANDI FOCELLI

In this station, the student will carry out an examination of your abdomen. I have outlined what to expect in chronological order below.

Students will likely introduce themselves to you, and ask you for the following details:

Name: Andi Focelli

Date of Birth: 05/06/1986 (40 years old)

Allergies: Penicillin

Ask if you are currently in pain: You currently have no pain (this holds true for any instance of them asking if you are in pain.

They may offer you a chaperone – Respond to say that you do not need one. If not asked, do not ask yourself for a chaperone.

Ask for your consent – they will likely provide a brief overview of what to expect during the examination.

Student may reposition you, expect them to lie your bed flat and ask you to put your arms by your sides. If they do not ask you to put your arms by your sides, then please keep them on your chest.

Students will (if following their checklist) start to inspect the area around you, and then begin the examination. Students will likely examine your hands/wrist/arms, face/eyes, mouth, neck/chest before looking at your abdomen. They may feel for pulses in your wrist and neck. They may also ask you pull down your eyelids and look upwards (only do what you are asked i.e if they ask for you to pull your eyelids down but not to look upwards, then don’t look upwards etc.) They will likely ask you to open your mouth and comment on your breath. Expect them to feel in your clavicle.

Students will then inspect your abdomen, followed by feeling the abdomen. They should press gently at first across your stomach, followed by a deeper pressing that may be uncomfortable.

Students should ask you to relax prior to pressing on your stomach. If they do not, then tense your stomach.

Students will then tap on your stomach in several directions. This should not be painful. You should not look like you are in pain in response to this.

Students may check for something called “ascites” which is excess fluid in your stomach. They may perform a test called “shifting dullness” where the top from the middle of your stomach to the edge, and then ask you to roll onto your side. If they are not clear on which side to roll onto, then roll away from them. They should ask you to roll towards them. Although it is less likely, the may carry out a test called a “fluid thrill”. This would involve them tapping on one side of the stomach with their hand on the other side. They may ask you to put your hand on the middle of your stomach as part of this test.

They may listen to your stomach in several areas with their stethoscope.

After this, they will likely finish the examination. Do not cover your stomach back up until they tell you directly that you have finished. If they ask if you have any questions, say “not at the moment”.