Palpation

Question 1

List the soft tissue structures you would palpate around the knee during your physical
assessment.

Answer 1

ACL
PCL
MCL
LCL
Tendons of Semimembranosus and semitendinosus medially and biceps femoris laterally.

Question 2

Anatomical structures to assess during shoulder palpation

Answer 2

Acromioclavicular Joint
Sternoclavicular Joint
Rotator Cuff Muscle Insertions
Long Head of the Biceps Tendon

Question 3

Precautions and contraindications

Answer 3

• Open wounds
• Acute arthritic diseases
• Acute, unmanaged fractures
• Severe bruising
• Under the influence of pain-killers – may
  mask tenderness
• Altered blood pressure – positioning

Question 4

State the aim of palpation during a physical assessment.

Answer 4

Palpation is a method of feeling with the fingers or hands during a physical examination. The health care provider touches and feels your body to examine the size, consistency, texture, location, and tenderness of an organ or body part. Palpation is the method of feeling with the hands during a physical examination.