Physical Assessment Order
by Cathy Parkes October 08, 2019 Updated: December 29, 2021

Order of physical assessment: Inspect, palpate, percuss, auscultate. EXCEPT for assessing the abdomen: Inspect, auscultate, percuss, palpate (to avoid altering bowel sounds).
Master the flow and sequence of a head-to-toe patient assessment with our health assessment flashcards for nursing students.
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