Which term corresponds to 'looking' during a physical examination?

Which term corresponds to 'looking' during a physical examination?

• A. Auscultation
• B. Palpation
• C. Percussion
• D. Inspection

Answer: (D)

Looking during a physical examination is inspection. This step uses sight to observe the patient’s general appearance, skin color, symmetry, posture, gait, and any obvious signs like rashes or lesions. It’s usually the first part of the exam and helps guide what to check next. Auscultation, by contrast, involves listening to internal sounds with a stethoscope; palpation means examining by touch to assess texture, temperature, and tenderness; percussion involves tapping to evaluate the density of underlying tissues.

Looking during a physical examination is inspection. This step uses sight to observe the patient’s general appearance, skin color, symmetry, posture, gait, and any obvious signs like rashes or lesions. It’s usually the first part of the exam and helps guide what to check next.

Auscultation, by contrast, involves listening to internal sounds with a stethoscope; palpation means examining by touch to assess texture, temperature, and tenderness; percussion involves tapping to evaluate the density of underlying tissues.