What is the appropriate procedure for assessing posterior surfaces?

• A. Photograph posterior surfaces
• B. Inspect and palpate posterior surfaces
• C. Remove gloves and proceed
• D. Apply a tourniquet

Answer: (B)

Assessing posterior surfaces requires a careful combination of inspection and palpation. Visually examine the back for wounds, contusions, deformities, or signs of trauma, then palpate along the spine and surrounding tissue to identify tenderness, step-offs, crepitus, or instability. This approach is recommended because injuries to the posterior chest, back, or spine can be missed if you only look at the front, and palpation helps reveal problems not visible to the eye while keeping spinal precautions in place (often with a log roll to expose the back safely). Documentation through photographs isn’t part of the immediate assessment, removing gloves between steps violates infection control, and a tourniquet is used for controlling limb hemorrhage, not for evaluating the back.