A complete assessment addresses each of the following each visit, scaled to the patient's diagnosis and stability:
The abdominal examination — inspection (distension and contour), auscultation (bowel sounds in all quadrants), and palpation (tenderness, guarding, rigidity, rebound, and masses).
Bowel function — the last bowel movement, frequency, and consistency (a Bristol assessment), and constipation, diarrhea, or incontinence.
Nausea and vomiting and their character — bilious, or bloody or coffee-ground (which signals bleeding).
Appetite and early satiety (detailed intake in Nutrition).
GI bleeding signs — hematemesis, melena, or hematochezia.
An ostomy, when present — stoma appearance and viability, output, the appliance, and the peristomal skin.
GI symptoms — heartburn, dysphagia (with Taste / Swallowing), and abdominal pain (characterized in Pain).
Medications affecting the GI tract (for example opioids causing constipation) and the hydration impact (with Hydration).
