Palpation
Palpation is a manual examination technique used by healthcare professionals to assess the size, shape, firmness, consistency, texture, tenderness, and location of various body parts or organs. This noninvasive procedure serves as a valuable screening and diagnostic tool, particularly in detecting cancers of the breast, prostate, uterus, ovaries, liver, abdomen, pancreas, skin, bladder, lower colon, rectum, and lymph nodes. Despite advances in medical technology, palpation remains an essential part of physical examinations, allowing providers to gather important information through direct patient interaction.
Patients may be guided to perform self-examinations, such as breast self-examinations, to identify potential abnormalities. The effectiveness of palpation largely relies on the skill of the healthcare provider and thorough patient preparation, which includes explaining the procedure and addressing any concerns. Although palpation typically results in minimal discomfort, it does not provide definitive diagnoses; instead, findings can lead to immediate follow-up for further testing. Overall, palpation is a cost-effective approach that enhances the diagnostic process, ensuring patients receive timely feedback regarding their health.
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Subject Terms
Palpation
ALSO KNOWN AS: Manual examination, feeling, probing, touching, manipulation
DEFINITION: Palpation is the careful manual examination of the size, shape, firmness, consistency, texture, tenderness, or location of some body part or organ. Healthcare professionals use palpation during a physical examination for screening and diagnostic purposes.
Cancers diagnosed: Cancers of the breast, prostate, uterus, ovaries, liver, abdomen, pancreas, skin, bladder, lower colon and rectum, or lymph nodes
Why performed: Despite the technological advances in healthcare diagnostics, healthcare providers still acquire valuable information through direct interaction with the patient. By providing a physical examination, providers can screen patients for possible abnormalities. Sometimes, cancer can be discovered through palpation of various body parts or organs. For example, a provider can use palpation to screen for cancers of the breast, prostate, uterus, ovaries, liver, abdomen, pancreas, skin, bladder, lower colon and rectum, or lymph nodes. A woman can use palpation in her monthly breast self-examination to detect lumps or thickening tissue that could indicate cancer. Many medical professionalsincluding nurse practitioners, physical therapists, and chiropractorsuse palpation.
Palpation is a noninvasive procedure that is less costly than procedures involving technology and can be a highly reliable initial step. When an abnormality is discovered, further diagnostics are performed to diagnose the cancer and determine treatment alternatives. It is important to note that palpation varies in its usefulness depending on the area of the body being examined.
Patient preparation: Patient preparation depends on the type of palpation procedure. The patient should receive a thorough explanation of what is involved in the examination. Any anticipated discomfort should be disclosed to the patient, and any patient questions should be answered prior to the examination. Successful physical palpation depends on the skill of the provider and a thorough preparation of the patient.
Steps of procedure: The steps of the procedure depend on the area palpated during the physical examination.
After the procedure: The patient should be informed of any possible discomfort, tenderness, or soreness that may occur after the examination, which is generally minimal with palpation. Though palpation does not provide a definitive diagnosis, the practitioner can provide immediate feedback to the patient about cancer possibilities and make plans for further tests.
Risks: One advantage of palpation as a means of screening for cancer and other health problems is that there is little risk of an adverse event to the patient. Palpation usually results in minimal short-term discomfort for the patient.
Results: A skillful practitioner can use palpation as an effective way to screen a patient for cancer. Immediate follow-up plans can be made for further diagnostics without waiting for the return of other test results.
Bibliography
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