Final answer:
The technique of placing a fingertip in the inguinal canal and asking the patient to cough is used to check for indirect hernias during a physical examination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Placing your fingertip in the inguinal canal of a patient and asking them to "cough" is a conventional means of checking for indirect hernias. When the patient coughs, if the hernia is present, you may feel a bulge against the fingertip indicating the protrusion of abdominal contents through the inguinal ring. This is a common method used during a physical examination to detect the presence of inguinal hernias, which occur in the groin area where the abdominal wall is weak.