Which physical assessment technique is appropriate for a nurse to use when assessing an adult client?

When assessing an adult client, ensuring that the bladder of the blood pressure cuff surrounds 80% of the client's arm is crucial for obtaining an accurate blood pressure measurement. An appropriately sized cuff allows for an accurate reading, as this ensures that the pressure applied is sufficient to occlude the blood flow in the artery without being so tight that it causes discomfort or an artificially high reading. If the cuff is too small or too large, it can lead to inaccurate blood pressure results, which can significantly affect patient management and treatment decisions.

In the context of the other choices, using the FLACC scale is more suitable for children or non-verbal patients rather than adults. Obtaining an apical heart rate should be done at the fifth intercostal space, slightly left of the sternum, rather than the third intercostal space for accurate auscultation. Palpating the abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds is not recommended as it can stimulate bowel activity and lead to inaccurate findings regarding bowel sounds. Thus, the correct practice aligns with proper techniques that ensure safety and accuracy in patient assessment.