Inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation-rationale: the correct sequence for abdominal assessment is inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation because this sequence prevents altering bowel sounds by performing palpation before auscultation. the correct sequence for all other assessments is inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.client needs category: physiological integrityclient needs subcategory: reduction of risk potentialcognitive level: knowledgereference: weber, j., and kelley, j. health assessment in nursing, 3rd ed. philadelphia: lippincott williams & wilkins, 2007, p. 436.