A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving 0.45% sodium chloride. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Choice A reason: Percussion precedes palpation to assess abdominal resonance and organ size without altering bowel motility. Performing it last risks inaccurate findings, as palpation may stimulate peristalsis, changing resonance patterns. This sequence ensures reliable detection of abnormalities like organomegaly or fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
Choice B reason: Auscultation is done before palpation to capture natural bowel sounds. Manipulation during palpation can alter peristalsis, affecting auscultatory findings. Early auscultation ensures accurate detection of hypoactive or hyperactive bowel sounds, critical for diagnosing conditions like ileus or obstruction in abdominal assessments.
Choice C reason: Palpation is the final step, following inspection, auscultation, and percussion, to assess for tenderness or masses. This sequence prevents manipulation from altering earlier findings, ensuring accurate identification of abdominal abnormalities like peritonitis or organ enlargement, critical for a comprehensive physical examination.
Choice D reason: Inspection is the first step, providing a visual baseline of abdominal appearance, such as distension or scars. Performing it last misses initial cues guiding subsequent steps. Early inspection ensures no manipulation affects visual assessment, vital for identifying external signs of underlying abdominal pathology.

Choice A reason: Asking parents to wait outside may increase the preschooler’s anxiety, as parental presence provides comfort. Unless clinically necessary, excluding parents is not ideal, so this action is inappropriate for preparing the child, making it incorrect.
Choice B reason: Teaching deep-breathing to a preschooler is challenging due to their developmental stage, and it may not effectively reduce anxiety for a dressing change. Simpler reassurance is more suitable, so this is less effective, making it incorrect.
Choice C reason: Explaining the procedure in simple terms helps the preschooler understand what to expect, reducing fear and promoting cooperation. This developmentally appropriate approach aligns with pediatric care principles, making it the correct action for preparation.
Choice D reason: Limiting teaching to 20 minutes is impractical for a preschooler, whose attention span is short. Brief, simple explanations are more effective, and prolonged sessions may overwhelm the child, so this is incorrect for preparing them.