Which of the following choices correctly identifies the concept of inspection as used in the nursing assessment?

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

Answer: (C)

Inspection means visually examining the patient, using careful observation to gather data. In nursing assessment, this involves looking at general appearance, skin color and condition, posture and gait, facial expressions, symmetry, and any visible signs of distress or abnormality. It requires good lighting, a calm environment, and unhurried, deliberate observation so you notice subtle cues like pallor, cyanosis, rashes, edema, or abnormal breathing patterns. This initial visual check guides the rest of the assessment and helps decide where to focus with the other techniques.

The other techniques serve different senses: auscultation listens to internal sounds with a stethoscope, palpation uses touch to feel texture, temperature, moisture, and tenderness, and percussion taps the body to assess underlying structures.