Which examination method involves touching the body to assess its structure, size, or texture?

Which examination method involves touching the body to assess its structure, size, or texture?

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

Answer: (D)

Touching the body to feel its structure, size, and texture is palpation. This hands-on method lets you assess organs and tissues by using your fingertips or the palm of the hand to detect features that aren’t visible, such as tenderness, masses, consistency, shape, and surface texture. Palpation can be light to assess surface features and tenderness, or deep to evaluate deeper organs like the abdomen, where you can gauge size and contour and feel for any abnormal masses or rigidity. It works alongside looking (inspection) and listening (auscultation) as part of a thorough physical examination. Tachycardia is simply a fast heart rate, not a way to examine the body, so it isn’t a palpation method.

Touching the body to feel its structure, size, and texture is palpation. This hands-on method lets you assess organs and tissues by using your fingertips or the palm of the hand to detect features that aren’t visible, such as tenderness, masses, consistency, shape, and surface texture. Palpation can be light to assess surface features and tenderness, or deep to evaluate deeper organs like the abdomen, where you can gauge size and contour and feel for any abnormal masses or rigidity. It works alongside looking (inspection) and listening (auscultation) as part of a thorough physical examination. Tachycardia is simply a fast heart rate, not a way to examine the body, so it isn’t a palpation method.