jarvis physical examination and health assessment 9th edition test bank Related

Review jarvis physical examination and health assessment 9th edition test bank related questions and content

When performing a physical assessment, the first technique the nurse will use is:

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

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inspection. This is because visual observation is typically the initial step in a physical assessment to gather information about the patient's overall appearance, skin color, posture, and any obvious abnormalities. Palpation (A) involves touching and feeling for abnormalities, which usually follows inspection. Percussion (C) is the technique of tapping on the body to assess underlying structures, and auscultation (D) is listening to sounds produced by the body, both of which typically come after inspection and palpation. Inspecting the patient first allows the nurse to establish a baseline before moving on to more detailed assessment techniques.