NURS 5220 MODULE 3 2026 ENDOCRINE
AND METABOLIC IMBALANCES CLINICAL
APPLICATION GUIDE
◉ Examination Techniques and Equipment Patient Positioning
Answer: Seated‐ used for most assessment with access to anterior
and posterior upper body parts
Supine‐ used for most assessment with access to anterior body parts
of upper and lower body
Prone‐ used for most assessment with access to posterior body parts
of upper and lower body; used for musculoskeletal assessment
Dorsal Recumbent‐ used for assessment with access to genital and
rectal areas
Lateral Recumbent‐ used for auscultation of the heart and palpation
of the spleen
Lithotomy‐ used for pelvic examination
,Sims‐ used for examination of rectum
◉ Examination Techniques and Equipment Order of Physical
Examination
Answer: • Inspection
• Palpation
• Percussion
• Auscultation
EXCEPT Abdomen
◉ Abdomen order of examination
Answer: Inspection
Auscultation
Percuss
Palpation
◉ inspection
Answer: observation used for data collection
using eyes and nose
can use extra lighting
,◉ palpation
Answer: Sense of Touch used for data collection
Palmer surface of fingers and finger pads are more sensitive to
determine position, texture, size, consistency, masses, fluid and
crepitus.
Ulnar surface of and finger are sensitive to distinguish vibration.
Dorsal surface of the hand is best for estimating temperature
Light, Deep
touch is therapeutic
respect boundaries and ask for permission
◉ Percussion
Answer: Sense of touch to produce vibration and sound waves
Sound waves are heard as percussion tones or resonance
, Percussion hammer and Tuning Fork
Depth of underlying tissue determines the percussion tones:
Tympany
Hyperresonance
Resonance
Dullness
Flatness
◉ Percussion tones
Answer: • Tympany‐ gastric bubble
• Hyperresonance‐ lungs with emphysema
• Resonance‐ healthy lungs
• Dullness‐ liver
• Flatness‐ muscle
• Direct (sinus)
• Indirect or mediate (percussion striking own finger)
• Blunt (CVA tenderness)
• Scratch test
◉ Auscultation
AND METABOLIC IMBALANCES CLINICAL
APPLICATION GUIDE
◉ Examination Techniques and Equipment Patient Positioning
Answer: Seated‐ used for most assessment with access to anterior
and posterior upper body parts
Supine‐ used for most assessment with access to anterior body parts
of upper and lower body
Prone‐ used for most assessment with access to posterior body parts
of upper and lower body; used for musculoskeletal assessment
Dorsal Recumbent‐ used for assessment with access to genital and
rectal areas
Lateral Recumbent‐ used for auscultation of the heart and palpation
of the spleen
Lithotomy‐ used for pelvic examination
,Sims‐ used for examination of rectum
◉ Examination Techniques and Equipment Order of Physical
Examination
Answer: • Inspection
• Palpation
• Percussion
• Auscultation
EXCEPT Abdomen
◉ Abdomen order of examination
Answer: Inspection
Auscultation
Percuss
Palpation
◉ inspection
Answer: observation used for data collection
using eyes and nose
can use extra lighting
,◉ palpation
Answer: Sense of Touch used for data collection
Palmer surface of fingers and finger pads are more sensitive to
determine position, texture, size, consistency, masses, fluid and
crepitus.
Ulnar surface of and finger are sensitive to distinguish vibration.
Dorsal surface of the hand is best for estimating temperature
Light, Deep
touch is therapeutic
respect boundaries and ask for permission
◉ Percussion
Answer: Sense of touch to produce vibration and sound waves
Sound waves are heard as percussion tones or resonance
, Percussion hammer and Tuning Fork
Depth of underlying tissue determines the percussion tones:
Tympany
Hyperresonance
Resonance
Dullness
Flatness
◉ Percussion tones
Answer: • Tympany‐ gastric bubble
• Hyperresonance‐ lungs with emphysema
• Resonance‐ healthy lungs
• Dullness‐ liver
• Flatness‐ muscle
• Direct (sinus)
• Indirect or mediate (percussion striking own finger)
• Blunt (CVA tenderness)
• Scratch test
◉ Auscultation
