What is the purpose of Palpation?
Assess:
1) Symmetry
2) Tissue Texture
3) Tissue Tenderness
4) Tissue Response
What are some reasons to palpate?
1) Skin temperature
2) Skin moisture
3) Tenderness vs. Pain
4) Muscle tone, guarding or spasm
5) Bone and joint position
6) Swelling/ Effusion & Nodules
* Note that there has to be a reason to palpate (test hypothesis) and you must document your findings. Should record pt reaction
Give some examples between superficial and deep assessment in palpation.
Superficial: tissue temperature, moisture, and superficial fascia
Deep: Compression to deep structure & shear for movement between layers