What indicates an abnormal finding in palpation?

The presence of pain or swelling during palpation indicates an abnormal finding. In a clinical context, palpation is a technique used by healthcare professionals to assess the body through the sense of touch, often to detect abnormalities. Normal findings would include a lack of pain, a smooth and even surface, and an absence of swelling.

Pain may suggest underlying issues such as inflammation, infection, or injury, while swelling could indicate conditions such as edema, which is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues. Both of these findings warrant further investigation to understand the underlying cause, making their presence a clear indicator of a potential health issue. In contrast, normal heartbeat, blood pressure, and regular breathing patterns are expected findings during thorough assessments, signaling that these aspects of the patient's health are functioning as they should.