Final answer:
The nurse will use the sense of touch to assess texture, moisture, swelling, tenderness, and pain using various techniques such as the cotton tip of the applicator, the oscillating tuning fork, and testing proprioception.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse will use the sense of touch to assess texture, moisture, swelling, tenderness, and pain using various techniques. One technique is using the cotton tip of the applicator or fingertip to assess tactile movement by drawing the stimulus across the skin. The nurse would ask the patient in what direction the stimulus is moving. Another technique is measuring temperature by using an oscillating tuning fork placed against prominent bone features or the metal against the skin can be perceived as a cold stimulus when the tuning fork is still. Finally, for assessing proprioception or sense of position and motion, the nurse can move the patient's fingers or toes and ask if they sense the movement.