Tapping by finger on the body parts to determine the condition of internal organs with the help of sounds is termed as:

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2020

Explanation

Percussion is the physical examination method that involves tapping on a body surface to elicit sounds or vibrations.
The sound produced varies based on the density of the underlying structures (e.g., air, fluid, or solid).
This technique allows a clinician to assess the size, location, and density of organs, as well as to detect the presence of fluid or air in body cavities.

Option B: Auscultation is the act of listening to the internal sounds of the body, such as heart, lung, and bowel sounds. It does not involve tapping to create the sound.
Option C: Palpation uses the sense of touch to feel for characteristics like texture, temperature, size, and tenderness. It does not involve sound.
Option D: Resonance is a type of sound, not the technique itself. It is a low-pitched, hollow sound that is typically heard when percussing over normal, air-filled lung tissue.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Physical Assessment Techniques as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses use percussion to assess various conditions. For example, percussing the abdomen can help identify a distended bladder, which sounds dull compared to the tympanic sound of air-filled intestines.
Percussion over the lung fields helps differentiate between healthy air-filled lungs (resonant sound) and areas with fluid or consolidation as in pneumonia (dull sound).
What if? If a nurse percusses over an area of the lung and hears a dull, thud-like sound instead of the expected resonance, it could indicate a pleural effusion or pneumonia. The nurse should then auscultate for abnormal breath sounds and report the findings.

How to Approach the Question

First, analyze the question to identify the core action being described. The key phrase here is 'Tapping by finger... with the help of sounds'.
Next, consider each option as a potential definition for this action.
Evaluate 'Percussion': This term directly means to strike or tap. In a medical context, it refers to tapping the body to produce sound for diagnostic purposes. This is a strong match.
Evaluate 'Auscultation': This means to listen. This is incorrect as the action is tapping, not listening.
Evaluate 'Palpation': This means to feel with the hands. This is incorrect as the action is tapping for sound, not feeling.
Evaluate 'Resonance': This is a type of sound, not the action of producing it. Therefore, it's an outcome of the technique, not the technique itself. This makes it an incorrect choice for the name of the technique.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 64-66

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 716-718

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