The nurse is preparing to percuss the lower lobes of a client's lungs. The percussion technique appropriate for this body area would be:

Question

1. direct percussion.
2. blunt percussion.
3. indirect percussion.
4. any of the percussion techniques.

Answer 1

3
Rationale 1: Direct percussion is the technique of tapping the body with the fingertips of the dominant hand. It is used to examine the thorax of an infant and to assess the sinuses of an adult.
Rationale 2: Blunt percussion involves placing the palm of the nondominant hand flat against the body surface and striking the nondominant hand with the dominant hand. A closed fist of the dominant hand is used to deliver the blow.
Rationale 3: Percussion of the lungs is done using indirect percussion, as it produces sounds that are clearer and more easily interpreted. Of all the percussion techniques, indirect is the most commonly used.
Rationale 4: In order to gain accurate objective information, it is important for the nurse to choose the proper assessment technique, which in this situation is indirect percussion.