AAMA CMA Practice Question

Gentle, graded palpation is necessary to assess areas of tenderness and possible inflammation without causing excessive discomfort or further injury to the patient. Starting palpation away from the painful area helps to relax the patient and makes it easier to identify the exact point of maximal tenderness. Deep palpation or vigorous palpation of the tender area could exacerbate the pain and may potentially cause harm, especially if the appendix is inflamed and at risk of rupture. Therefore, employing a gentle, graded approach is most appropriate. Serial palpation at intervals is not a technique for exploring acute tenderness as it refers to repeated examinations over time, not assessing tenderness progressively. Moreover, using rebound tenderness as a part of palpation technique is helpful but is not the initial palpation technique used for assessment; it is rather a sign elicited after careful palpation.