What type of assessment involves examining with hands during a primary trauma assessment?

Palpation is a crucial part of a primary trauma assessment where a clinician uses their hands to feel for abnormalities, tenderness, or injuries on the patient's body. This hands-on technique allows the examiner to gather essential information about the patient’s condition. By applying pressure to certain areas, the healthcare provider can identify a range of issues, such as fractures, organ enlargement, or areas of pain that might not be as evident through visual inspection alone.

During the primary trauma assessment, palpation can help guide further decisions about the patient's care, highlighting the need for immediate interventions or the urgency of transport to a medical facility. This tactile assessment complements other methods, such as inspection, where visual cues are gathered, but it adds a deeper layer of understanding to the physical examination results.