Requirements of the Examiner

• Use finger tips of digits 2,3. The thumb has a noticeable pulse, which could cause confusion in the case of palpation of a very weak muscle.



• Keep the finger nails short to avoid irritation to the patient.



• Depth of touch/amount of pressure should be as light as possible while allowing palpation. Excessive pressure can hinder the palpation of a weak muscle or delicate structure and may cause unnecessary pain.



• Close your eyes to enhance the palpation, especially with weak muscles and/or to assist your discrimination ability.



• Exercise to improve your palpation of a weak muscle or structure that is difficult to discriminate from other structures:
  • Place a piece of thread on a table and cover with a piece of paper. With your finger tips on the paper, try to detect the location of the thread. Try with eyes open, eyes closed, in a noisy and quiet environment.
  
  
  
• Use proper draping techniques and a private room for patient respect and modesty, as well as other aspects of professional behavior. Consider cultural considerations, such as the cultural implications of touch and requests to touch by someone of the opposite gender.



• Use appropriate instructions and palpation methods.