What Is Deep Palpation?

Deep palpation of the abdomen is

performed by placing the flat of the hand on the abdominal wall and applying firm, steady pressure

. It may be helpful to use two-handed palpation (Figure 93.2), particularly in evaluating a mass. Here the upper hand is used to exert pressure, while the lower hand is used to feel.

What is light and deep palpation?

As the name suggests,

light palpation is more superficial

and therefore it permits identification of the superficial organs or masses, and sometimes it can detect abdominal wall crepitus. On the other hand, deep palpation allows examination of organs including the liver, caecum.

What is deep palpation used for?

Deep palpation

Use this technique to

feel internal organs and masses for size, shape, tenderness, symmetry, and mobility

. Depress the skin 11⁄2 to 2 inches (about 4 to 5 cm) with firm, deep pressure. Use one hand on top of the other to exert firmer pressure, if needed.

How far is deep palpation?

Deep palpation depresses the abdomen to a depth of

about 4–5 cm

. It is often performed second and is used to detect masses and organomegaly.

Can you feel stool on palpation?

On abdominal exam, the clinician should look for signs of distension. Palpation, especially in thin patients, may reveal

hard, palpable stool in the ascending, descending, and sigmoid segments of

the colon.

What is an example of palpation?

Examples include

pulses

, abdominal distension, cardiac thrills, fremitus, and various hernias, joint dislocations, bone fractures, and tumors, among others.

What organs can you feel with your hand?

This exam with the hands gives healthcare providers information about important parts of the body. These are the

liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, stomach, pancreas, bladder, gallbladder, appendix, and the abdominal aorta

.

How do you palpate the liver?

Palpate for the liver with one or two

hands palm down moving upward 2-3 cm

at a time towards the lower costal margin. Have the patient take a deep breath. The liver will move downward due to the downward movement of the diaphragm. Feel for the liver to hit the caudal aspect of your palpating hand.

What are normal bowel sounds?

Normal: Bowel sound consist of

clicks and gurgles and 5-30 per minute

. An occasional borborygmus (loud prolonged gurgle) may be heard.

What is the hooking technique?

A hook (or narrative hook) is the

literary technique of creating an enticing beginning

—the very first line or opening of a story—designed to capture readers’ interest.

How do you perform a deep palpation?

Deep palpation of the abdomen is performed by

placing the flat of the hand on the abdominal wall and applying firm, steady pressure

. It may be helpful to use two-handed palpation (Figure 93.2), particularly in evaluating a mass. Here the upper hand is used to exert pressure, while the lower hand is used to feel.

How long should you listen for bowel sounds?

If bowel sounds are not immediately audible, a period of

30-60 seconds

should be dedicated to listening as the establishment of absent bowel sounds has immediate implications and should be unequivocal. High-pitched, frequent bowel sounds are associated with small bowel obstruction.

How do I listen to my bowel sounds?

Place the diaphragm of your stethoscope lightly over the right lower quadrant and listen

for bowel sounds. If you don’t hear any, continue listening for 5 minutes within that quadrant. Then, listen to the right upper quadrant, the left upper quadrant, and the left lower quadrant.

Why do we stand on right side of patient?

Traditions are always based on some reasoning. Still we choose not to bother ourselves to look for the reasoning and take the easier way out, which is ignoring to question them at all. Some people say we stand on the right as ‘

it gives the doctor more manoeuvrability to examine with his right hand

‘ (10).

What are the peritoneal signs?

• tenderness in your abdomen.
• pain in your abdomen that gets more intense with motion or touch.
• abdominal bloating or distention.
• nausea and vomiting.
• diarrhea.
• constipation or the inability to pass gas.
• minimal urine output.
• anorexia, or loss of appetite.

Why do doctors push on your stomach during physical?

Pressing on your stomach is a

way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal

, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.