In recent years, the professional role of the nurse has undergone significant and extensive changes. The scope of the tasks undertaken by the modern nurse is expanding. Some of the tasks undertaken by the nurse require high qualifications. Nowadays, a qualified nurse is entitled to conduct on their own a physical examination that enables quick assessment of the child’s condition and early diagnosis of various diseases. Such competence and capabilities in the professional practice are created by obtaining the title of a specialist in paediatric nursing. The medical history and physical examination of the patient are the nurse’s and doctor’s primary sources of the information about the patient’s health. The aim of the paediatric examination is to assess the state of health, the physical and psychomotor development, and determine the initial diagnosis. The aim of this work is to present the proper stages of the physical examination conducted by the nurse and doctor in a child with an enlarged abdominal circumference.

Nursing Topics 2015; 23 (2): 259–264