Which assessment method would a nurse use to determine the areas of the lungs that need draining?

• A. Inspection
• B. Percussion
• C. Palpation
• D. Auscultation

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the purpose of each assessment method: Inspection involves visually examining the patient, Palpation involves using hands to feel the body, Auscultation involves listening to the sounds of the body, and Percussion involves tapping on the body to assess underlying structures.
2. Recognize that the goal is to determine areas of the lungs that need draining, which requires assessing the presence of fluid or air in the lung spaces.
3. Consider how each method can help identify fluid in the lungs: Inspection and Palpation are less effective for internal fluid detection, while Auscultation can detect abnormal lung sounds but not pinpoint fluid location.
4. Focus on Percussion, which involves tapping on the chest wall and listening to the sound produced. This method helps identify areas of dullness, indicating fluid accumulation.
5. Conclude that Percussion is the most effective method for determining areas of the lungs that need draining, as it allows the nurse to detect changes in sound that suggest fluid presence.