Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

When assessing a patient's abdominal mass, which technique is most effective?

1. Light palpation of the surface

2. Deep palpation with both hands

3. Visual inspection alone

4. Palpation while asking the patient to cough

The correct answer is: Light palpation of the surface

When assessing a patient's abdominal mass, light palpation of the surface is a foundational technique that allows the clinician to gather preliminary information about the location, size, and texture of the mass. This method is particularly useful because it minimizes discomfort for the patient and helps the clinician assess the general characteristics of the mass without applying excessive pressure that could cause pain or interfere with further examination. Light palpation can help distinguish between superficial and deeper masses and can provide clues about whether the mass is tender or firm, which can inform the subsequent evaluation process. Additionally, by starting with light palpation, the examiner maintains a gentle approach, instilling comfort and cooperation from the patient, which is essential for an effective clinical examination. Deep palpation, visual inspection, and palpation while asking the patient to cough are also valuable in certain contexts. However, deep palpation is typically reserved for more thorough evaluations after initial findings, visual inspection alone may miss important tactile characteristics of the mass, and palpation while coughing can be useful for assessing certain properties of the mass but is not the foundational technique for initial assessment. In combination, these techniques build on the initial findings from light palpation to develop a comprehensive understanding of the abdominal mass.