A friction rub is a scratching or squeaking sound that persists throughout the respiratory cycle and does not clear with coughing. True or false?

Choice A reason: Palpating tender areas first may cause patient discomfort and guarding, reducing assessment accuracy. Palpation uses the palmar side or finger pads, starting with non-tender areas. Assuming this risks poor technique, potentially missing subtle findings like masses or edema, critical for comprehensive physical assessment in clinical practice.

Choice B reason: Palpation uses the palmar side of the hands or finger pads for light or deep touch to assess texture, tenderness, or masses. This technique ensures sensitivity and accuracy, detecting abnormalities like organ enlargement or fluid accumulation. Proper palpation is essential for thorough physical exams, guiding diagnosis and care planning effectively.

Choice C reason: Short, quick taps define percussion, not palpation, which involves sustained touch to assess underlying structures. Confusing these techniques risks incorrect assessment, missing findings like organ size or tenderness. Palpation’s distinct method using finger pads ensures accurate detection, critical for identifying abnormalities in physical examinations.

Choice D reason: Using a stethoscope is for auscultation, not palpation, which relies on manual touch with finger pads or palms. Assuming stethoscope use misaligns with palpation’s purpose, risking incomplete assessment of tactile findings like masses or swelling, essential for accurate diagnosis and effective patient care planning.

Choice A reason: Gender, while influencing health outcomes, is not a social determinant of health, which includes modifiable environmental and societal factors like income or housing. Gender is a biological and social characteristic, not an external condition shaping health access or outcomes, making it the correct answer.

Choice B reason: Physical environment, including housing, air quality, and access to green spaces, is a social determinant of health. It directly impacts health outcomes by influencing exposure to pollutants or access to safe living conditions, making it a valid factor in health disparities.

Choice C reason: Economic stability, encompassing income, employment, and financial security, is a social determinant of health. It affects access to healthcare, nutrition, and stress levels, significantly influencing health outcomes, making it a critical factor in public health frameworks.

Choice D reason: Access to health care, including availability of services and insurance, is a social determinant of health. It determines timely medical interventions and preventive care, directly affecting health outcomes, making it a key component in health equity discussions.