HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

The term used to describe a crackling sensation felt on the skin surface during palpation is crepitus. This term specifically refers to the sound or feeling of a crackling or popping sensation, which can occur when air bubbles in the tissue or fluid accumulates in a joint, making it feel crunchy or like a crackling sensation. Crepitus can often be associated with conditions such as emphysema or the presence of subcutaneous emphysema, where air is trapped under the skin, resulting in this distinctive sensation during palpation.

The other terms from the choices provided refer to different clinical findings. A friction rub involves a grating sound or sensation produced by the rubbing together of inflamed pleural surfaces and is typically assessed through auscultation rather than palpation. Tactile fremitus is the vibration felt on the chest wall when the patient speaks, indicating lung health but is distinct from the crackling sensation. Adventitious sounds are additional lung sounds like wheezes or crackles heard through a stethoscope and are not related to the sensation felt during a physical examination.