Chapter 2. Patient Assessment Show A comprehensive head-to-toe assessment is done on patient admission, at the beginning of each shift, and when it is determined to be necessary by the patient’s hemodynamic status and the context. The head-to-toe assessment includes all the body systems, and the findings will inform the health care professional on the patient’s overall condition. Any unusual findings should be followed up with a focused assessment specific to the affected body system. A physical examination involves collecting objective data using the techniques of inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation as appropriate (Wilson & Giddens, 2013). Checklist 17 outlines the steps to take. Checklist 17: Head-to-Toe Assessment
What techniques are used in palpation?Palpation requires you to touch the patient with different parts of your hands, using varying degrees of pressure. Because your hands are your tools, keep your fingernails short and your hands warm. Wear gloves when palpating mucous membranes or areas in contact with body fluids. Palpate tender areas last.
What body part is used for palpation?Palpation is a method of feeling with the fingers or hands during a physical examination.
What are the 4 types of palpation?The front of your fingers are used to perform light palpation, deep palpation, light ballottement and deep ballottement.
Why is it important to use palpation as part of the assessment process?Palpation is the technique of using your hands/fingers to assess the client based on your sensation of touch. It provides the opportunity to use your sense of touch to assess the body and further examine cues that were identified during inspection.
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