Which of the following techniques is NOT one of the primary methods used in physical assessment?

The correct answer is based on the understanding of the primary techniques used in physical assessment. Physical assessment typically involves three core methods: inspection, palpation, and auscultation.

Inspection refers to the visual examination of the patient, where the healthcare provider observes the physical characteristics, such as color, shape, and movement. Palpation involves using the hands to feel for abnormalities in the body's structure, such as tenderness or swelling. Auscultation is the process of listening to the sounds made by the body, often using a stethoscope to assess heart, lung, or abdominal sounds.

The technique mentioned as interpretation, while important in the clinical context, is not a primary method used during the physical assessment itself. Instead, interpretation is the cognitive process that follows the physical assessment, where the clinician synthesizes the findings from inspection, palpation, and auscultation to determine health status, make diagnosis, or create a plan of care. Hence, it does not belong to the core techniques employed during the physical assessment.