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NURS 3340 Health Assessment UTMB
MENDEZ module 2 Questions and Answers
Describe the use of Inspection as a physical examination technique
Ans: Seeing patient from head to toe without even touching them.
(Posture, wounds, skin color, facial expressions, hygiene, swelling)
Describe the use of Palpation as a physical examination techinque
Ans: Use it to touch the patient, but lightly
Physical examination is done in what order?
A. inspection, percussion, auscultation, palpation
B. inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
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C. auscultation, inspection percussion, palpation Ans: B.
inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
What is Auscultation? Ans: listening to the sounds produced by
the body
What is Percussion? Ans: Tapping person's skin with short, sharp
strokes to assess underlying structures.
- maps out the location and size of an organ.
- signals the density of a structure by a characteristic note
- Detecting a superficial abnormal mass
- eliciting pain if underlying structure is inflamed
Differentiate between light, deep, and bimanual palpation. Ans:
Light: fingertips - use for fine tactile disrimination of skin texture,
swelling, pulsation, determining presence of limps
Deep: Grasping action of the fingers and thumb - used to detect
the position, shape, and consistency of an organ or mass.
© 2025 All rights reserved
NURS 3340 Health Assessment UTMB
MENDEZ module 2 Questions and Answers
Describe the use of Inspection as a physical examination technique
Ans: Seeing patient from head to toe without even touching them.
(Posture, wounds, skin color, facial expressions, hygiene, swelling)
Describe the use of Palpation as a physical examination techinque
Ans: Use it to touch the patient, but lightly
Physical examination is done in what order?
A. inspection, percussion, auscultation, palpation
B. inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
C. auscultation, inspection percussion, palpation Ans: B.
inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation
What is Auscultation? Ans: listening to the sounds produced by
the body
What is Percussion? Ans: Tapping person's skin with short, sharp
strokes to assess underlying structures.
- maps out the location and size of an organ.
- signals the density of a structure by a characteristic note
- Detecting a superficial abnormal mass
- eliciting pain if underlying structure is inflamed
Differentiate between light, deep, and bimanual palpation. Ans:
Light: fingertips - use for fine tactile disrimination of skin texture,
swelling, pulsation, determining presence of limps
Deep: Grasping action of the fingers and thumb - used to detect
the position, shape, and consistency of an organ or mass.
© 2025 All rights reserved
