How is palpabtion of acute abdoment?

►Start by examining the least painful region before moving on to the most painful region. ►Start palpating using 2-3 fingers since some patients are more sensitive than others. ► Tenderness upon palpation should be specified: localized or diffuse, rebound tenderness or tenderness on palpating. ► Rebound tenderness is the tenderness that occurs upon sudden release of pressure (fingers of the physician) on the abdomen ? sign of irritation of the parietal peritoneum. ► Guarding: (abdominal guarding most likely needs surgery) - Voluntary: abdominal muscles contract upon palpation. - Involuntary: contraction present even before touching the abdomen ?sign of major inflammation inside the abdomen (e.g. peritonitis)