Question

the nurse is performing an assessment on a child suspected of having an inguinal hernia. what assessment technique(s) should be used to assess for the presence of the hernia?

Answer 1

To assess for an inguinal hernia, a nurse should inspect and palpate the groin area, looking for bulges during standing, crying, or straining, and attempt to gently reduce any detected hernia.

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess for the presence of an inguinal hernia in a child, the nurse should perform a physical examination that includes inspecting the groin area for any bulging, swelling, or asymmetry, especially when the child is standing, crying, coughing, or straining.

Palpation is also an essential assessment technique, in which the nurse gently feels the inguinal region and the scrotum, if applicable, to detect any protrusion or mass. The child may also be asked to perform a Valsalva maneuver (bearing down) to make a hernia more prominent during the examination. If a hernia is reducible, it should be gently pushed back into the abdominal cavity to see if it can be replaced. It is important for the assessment to be gentle and for the nurse to be mindful of causing discomfort or pain.