ATI Fundamentals 5 Practice Test

In post-void bladder scanning, getting an accurate residual volume depends on good contact between the probe and the skin so the ultrasound can clearly visualize the bladder. The best action is to lightly press the scanner head against the lower abdomen. This light pressure helps the ultrasound waves pass through the tissue, reduces artifacts from air or gas, and improves visualization of the bladder, leading to a more accurate measurement. It’s important not to press hard, which can compress the bladder and distort the reading, and to place the probe on the lower abdomen just above the pubic bone rather than directly at the pubic symphysis. The scan is done after the client voids, not before or long after, and the patient is typically positioned supine rather than semi-Fowler’s.