Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Interviewing and Physical Assessment Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Interviewing and Physical Assessment related questions and content

The LPN observes the RN performing an assessment of the abdomen. The RN is lightly touching the client's abdomen and feeling it with the hands and fingertips. What assessment techniques is the LPN aware that the RN is using?

  • A. Inspection
  • B. Palpation
  • C. Percussion
  • D. Auscultation
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Palpation is assessing the characteristics of an organ or body part by touching and feeling it with the hands or fingertips. Inspection is the systematic and thorough observation of the client and specific areas of the body. Percussion is a tapping of a portion of the body to determine if there is tenderness or to elicit sounds that vary according to the density of underlying structures. Auscultation means listening with a stethoscope for normal and abnormal sounds.