Author Question: The nurse is preparing to palpate the thorax and abdomen of a patient. Which of these statements ... (Read 117 times)

arivle123 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

The nurse is preparing to palpate the thorax and abdomen of a patient. Which of these statements describes the correct technique for this procedure? Select all that apply.

a. Warm the hands first before touching the patient.
b. For deep palpation, use one long continuous palpation when assessing the liver.
c. Start with light palpation to detect surface characteristics.
d. Use the fingertips to examine skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and presence of lumps.
e. Identify any tender areas, and palpate them last.
f.
Use the palms of the hands to assess temperature of the skin.

Question 2

During auscultation of a patient's heart sounds, the nurse hears an unfamiliar sound. The nurse should:

a. Document the findings in the patient's record.
b. Wait 10 minutes, and auscultate the sound again.
c. Ask the patient how he or she is feeling.
d. Ask another nurse to double check the finding.

leannegxo · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A, C, D, E
The hands should always be warmed before beginning palpation. Intermittent pressure rather than one long continuous palpation is used; any tender areas are identified and palpated last. Fingertips are used to examine skin texture, swelling, pulsation, and the presence of lumps. The dorsa (backs) of the hands are used to assess skin temperature because the skin on the dorsa is thinner than on the palms.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
If an abnormal finding is not familiar, then the nurse may ask another examiner to double check the finding. The other responses do not help identify the unfamiliar sound.