Question

A nurse is preparing to perform palpation on a client's knees. In which order should the nurse perform the following steps?

A) Warm hands, inspect for swelling, ask about pain, apply gentle pressure
B) Inspect for swelling, warm hands, apply gentle pressure, ask about pain
C) Ask about pain, apply gentle pressure, inspect for swelling, warm hands
D) Apply gentle pressure, ask about pain, warm hands, inspect for swelling"

Answer 1

The correct order for a nurse to perform palpation on a client's knees is to first warm their hands, then inspect for swelling, ask about any pain, and finally apply gentle pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a nurse is preparing to perform palpation on a client's knees, the correct order of steps should be A) Warm hands, inspect for swelling, ask about pain, apply gentle pressure. This sequence ensures that the hands are warm and least likely to cause discomfort during the palpation, followed by a visual examination for any notable swelling which may indicate an underlying issue. The nurse should then inquire about any pain which provides valuable subjective data on the patient's condition before finally applying gentle pressure to assess the structures of the knee and further evaluate for any abnormalities or tenderness.