Which parameter is palpated during integumentary screening?

• A. Texture
• B. Temperature
• C. Turgor
• D. Mobility

Answer: (B)

During integumentary screening, palpating skin temperature is essential because it directly reflects blood flow, perfusion, and inflammatory processes. You can feel warmth or coolness with the back of the hand or fingertips, which helps you detect fever, infection, localized inflammation, or poor circulation.

Texture, turgor, and mobility are also assessed by touch to judge other skin qualities—texture relates to smoothness or roughness, turgor to skin elasticity, and mobility to how freely the skin moves over underlying tissues—but temperature specifically provides immediate information about the skin’s thermal status and perfusion, making it the key parameter palpated in this screening.