4 basic physical assessment techniques
inspection
palpation
percussion
auscultation
How to do a physical assessment on the abdomen? And why?
inspection
auscultation
percussion
palpation
- so that we DO NOT allow for hyperactive bowel sounds before auscultating
Previous
Pla...
How to do a physical assessment on the abdomen? And why? - ANSWER-
inspection
auscultation
percussion
palpation
- so that we DO NOT allow for hyperactive bowel sounds before auscultating
What are the sensitive areas of the hand? - ANSWER- • The finger pads are used
for discrimination of underlying structures and functions such as pulses,
superficial lymph nodes, or crepitus.
• Vibrations (vibrations) are best perceived by the examiner when using the base
of the fingers (metacarpophalangeal joints).
• The ulnar surface of the hand, including the finger, is most sensitive to
vibrations such as fremitus.
• The palmar aspect of the fingers is used to determine position, consistency,
texture, size of structures, pain, and tenderness.
• The dorsal surface of the fingers is most sensitive to temperature.
• The dominant hand is always more sensitive than the non-dominant hand.
, What is light palpation used for? - ANSWER- Light palpation is used with the
pads of the fingers to help assess the skin surface, pulses, textures, tenderness
(1cm)
What is deep palpation? - ANSWER- Used to palpate abdomen and internal
organs
(2-4cm)
What is contraindicated for deep palpation? - ANSWER- Dissecting aneurysms,
peritonitis, ectopic pregnancy
What is percussion? - ANSWER- tapping the person's skin with short, sharp
strokes to assess underlying structures
What is direct percussion? - ANSWER- Technique of tapping the body with the
fingertips of the dominant hand.
What is direct percussion used to assess for? - ANSWER- Adult sinuses
What is blunt percussion? - ANSWER- Non dominant hand is flat and dominant
hand hits over non dominant with a fist
What is blunt percussion used for? - ANSWER- Assess for pain and tenderness in
gallbladder, liver, and kidneys
What is indirect percussion? - ANSWER- It's the technique most commonly used
(sounds are clearer & more easily interpreted). A hammer or tapping finger is
used
What is a tympany sound? - ANSWER- loud, high pitched
Where would you hear a tympanic sound? - ANSWER- stomach or intestines
What is a resonance sound? - ANSWER- loud, low pitched, hollow
Where would you hear a resonance sound? - ANSWER- lungs
What is a hyperresonance sound? - ANSWER- loud, low pitched
Where would you hear a hyper resonance sound? - ANSWER- air is trapped in
lungs, common among the elderly
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