Nurses use a systematic approach to conduct physical examinations, ensuring no aspect is overlooked. The common techniques include:
Inspection: Visually examining the patient for any abnormalities. Palpation: Using hands to feel for lumps, tenderness, or other abnormalities. Percussion: Tapping on body parts to detect underlying structures and fluid presence. Auscultation: Listening to internal sounds using a stethoscope, such as heartbeats, lung sounds, and bowel movements.
