What it means
Pain brought on by touch. The difference from pain at rest matters: a client may have no pain lying still but feel tenderness when the nurse presses the area during palpationpal-PAY-shunExamining the body by touching and pressing with the hands and fingers.Full entry . Rebound tenderness is pain that is worse when the pressing hand is lifted quickly.
For the nurse
Palpate tender areas last and gently, and watch the client's face. Note the exact place, and report new tenderness, especially in the abdomen or a calf.
In a chart
"Tenderness to palpation in right lower quadrant; abdomen soft."
At a glance
| Spanish | sensibilidad al tacto |
|---|
Related terms
inflammation
The body's protective response to injury or infection, with redness, heat, swelling, pain and sometimes loss of function.
palpation
Examining the body by touching and pressing with the hands and fingers.
guarding
Tightening of muscles, or protecting a body part with the hands or posture, to avoid pain when it is touched or moved.