What does palpation involve during a physical examination?

Palpation is a key technique in physical examinations that involves using the hands to feel and examine various parts of a patient's body. This method allows healthcare providers to identify signs of disease, abnormalities, or changes in tissue, such as swelling, tenderness, or temperature differences. By applying different amounts of pressure, the clinician can assess organ size, consistency, and the presence of masses.

Listening to heart sounds using a stethoscope is known as auscultation and is a different examination technique. Measuring body temperature involves the use of a thermometer, which does not include the tactile method characteristic of palpation. Assessing mobility by having the patient walk evaluates their ability to move and may give information about balance and coordination, but it does not encompass the hands-on examination that palpation entails. These distinctions highlight why option A is the correct choice, as it accurately describes the nature and purpose of palpation in a physical examination.