What is the technique of palpation used for?

Palpation is a physical examination technique where a healthcare provider uses their hands to feel the body for various reasons such as assessing size, shape, firmness, or location of certain structures. This method allows the provider to gather information about organs, tissues, and abnormalities within the body. By physically manipulating the body, the practitioner can detect tenderness, swelling, or other irregularities that may not be visible through imaging or other diagnostic methods. Palpation is an essential skill in medical assessments, aiding in establishing a diagnosis or understanding a patient's condition more fully.

The other options focus on different examination techniques: listening to body sounds refers to auscultation, measuring visual acuity relates to vision tests, and recording heart activity involves using an electrocardiogram or similar methods. Each of these techniques serves a distinct purpose and does not encompass the tactile assessment that palpation provides.