Which technique involves feeling with the hands to assess body structures?

Which technique involves feeling with the hands to assess body structures?

• A. Inspection
• B. Palpation
• C. Auscultation
• D. Percussion

Answer: (B)

Feeling with the hands to assess body structures is palpation. This technique involves using touch to evaluate things you can’t see, such as texture, temperature, moisture, tenderness, and the size or presence of underlying structures like organs or masses. In practice, you use light pressure first to detect superficial features, then deeper pressure to assess deeper organs and tissues. It’s especially useful in abdominal exams to check for tenderness, distension, or masses, and it can also help assess pulses and tenderness in other areas. The other techniques rely on different senses and actions. Inspection uses sight to observe appearance and symmetry. Auscultation involves listening with a stethoscope to sounds inside the body. Percussion uses tapping to produce sounds that reveal underlying tissue density or fluid.

Feeling with the hands to assess body structures is palpation. This technique involves using touch to evaluate things you can’t see, such as texture, temperature, moisture, tenderness, and the size or presence of underlying structures like organs or masses. In practice, you use light pressure first to detect superficial features, then deeper pressure to assess deeper organs and tissues. It’s especially useful in abdominal exams to check for tenderness, distension, or masses, and it can also help assess pulses and tenderness in other areas.

The other techniques rely on different senses and actions. Inspection uses sight to observe appearance and symmetry. Auscultation involves listening with a stethoscope to sounds inside the body. Percussion uses tapping to produce sounds that reveal underlying tissue density or fluid.