The document outlines the four primary techniques used in physical assessment: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation, each utilizing different senses. It details the systematic approach for each technique, including how to perform them and their specific applications. The order of techniques varies based on the assessment focus, such as bowel sounds.

1. Physical Assessment Techniques

2. Content
1. Introduction
2. Inspection
3. Palpation
4. Auscultation
5. Percussion

3. Introduction
There are four primary techniques used in
physical assessment.
These techniques use 4 senses of the body –
Touch Sight, Hearing Smell
These can be used alone or combined with
others

4. Order of techniques
Inspection -> Palpation -> Percussion ->
Auscultation
For Bowel Sounds
Inspection -> Auscultation -> Percussion ->
Palpation

5. 1. Inspection
1. Technique of visual examination by the use of
the sense of sight
2. It should be systematic, Purposeful and
rigorous
3. Look for – deformities, asymmetry, color,
movements, hives, size etc

7. 2. Palpation
• Technique of using the sense of touch to examine
the patient
• Use the pads of the fingers
• Types
• Light: Superficial palpation, the skin is slightly
depressed
• Deep palpation: Techniques done by using both
hands. Skin is deeply depressed
• Do not Palpate patients with acute abdominal
pains or have pain on pressure

8. Light Palpation

9. Deep Palpation

10. 3. Percussion
• Act of tapping parts of the body and listening to
the sound of vibration that is made by the body
• Types
• Direct: Nurse taps one or 2 fingers against body
part
• Indirect – Using an object like fingers. Use of the
middle finger. Use of the middle finger of the
non-dominant hand is placed firmly on the
patient’s skin.

11. Direct Percussion

13. 4. Auscultation
• Technique of examining the patient by use of
the sense of hearing
• Direct – When the nurse listens to sounds
made by the body parts eg. Wheezing, loud
bowel sounds
• Indirect – When the nurse uses a stethoscope
or doppler to listen to sounds in the body

14. Indirect Auscultation

15. Direct Auscultation

17. HEALTH
ASSESSMENT
INSPECTION
PALPATION
PERCUSSION
AUSCULTATION