The nurse is planning to perform indirect percussion on an area of a c

The nurse is planning to perform indirect percussion on an area of a client’s body during a physical examination. Which actions should the nurse take to use this assessment technique?

1. Place the middle finger of the nondominant hand on the client’s skin.
2. Use the tip of the flexed middle finger of the other hand to strike the middle finger of the nondominant hand.
3. Perform a striking motion by moving the wrist.
4. Perform short, rapid, firm blows.
5. Use a stethoscope to transmit sounds to the ears.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3, 4
Rationale 1: Placing the middle finger of the nondominant hand on the client’s skin is the first step when performing indirect percussion.
Rationale 2: Using the tip of the flexed middle finger of the other hand to strike the middle finger of the nondominant hand is the second step when performing indirect percussion.
Rationale 3: The nurse should perform a striking motion by moving the wrist.
Rationale 4: The nurse should perform short, rapid, firm blows.
Rationale 5: Using a stethoscope to transmit sounds to the ears is done during auscultation, not indirect percussion.