During a routine abdominal assessment of a 45-year-old patient complaining of mild stomach pain, the nurse knows that the first step in the sequence should be _____?

During a routine abdominal assessment, the nurse follows the sequence inspection → auscultation → percussion → palpation. Inspection is performed first because percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds and other abdominal findings. The nurse visually examines the abdomen for contour, symmetry, distention, skin changes, scars, masses, and visible movements before proceeding to the other assessment techniques.