What it means
The state of being stretched out by gas, fluid or another substance from within. Abdominal distention is a swollen, tight belly; bladder distention is an overfull bladder that may be felt above the pubic bone; jugular venous distention is bulging neck veins seen when blood backs up toward the heart. Also spelled distension.
For the nurse
For abdominal distention, measure girth at the same place each time, listen to bowel sounds and ask about passing gas and stool. For bladder distention, check when the client last voided and use a bladder scanner if ordered.
In a chart
"Abdomen distended and firm; girth 96 cm, up from 91 cm this morning."
At a glance
| Spanish | distensión |
|---|---|
| Also written | distension |
Related terms
urinary retention
Being unable to empty the bladder completely, or at all.
ascites
A buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity, the space around the organs of the belly.
rigidity
Stiffness: a muscle, limb or the wall of the belly that resists being moved or pressed.
bowel sound
A gurgling or clicking sound made by gas and fluid moving through the intestines, heard with a stethoscope.