What part of the examiner's hand is used to feel for temperature?

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The dorsal surface of the hand is the correct choice for palpating temperature because this area is more sensitive to temperature variations compared to other parts of the hand. The skin on the dorsal surface has a higher concentration of thermoreceptors, which makes it effective for assessing warmth or coolness on the skin's surface.

Using this part of the hand allows the examiner to accurately gauge temperature differences on a patient's skin, which is crucial in making clinical assessments, especially in conditions like infections, inflammation, or circulatory issues.

In contrast, the palmar surface, whilst useful for feeling texture and moisture, is not as sensitive to temperature changes. Fingertips, while they can be used for more detailed assessments (such as pulse or texture), are not as effective as the dorsal surface for temperature measurement. The whole hand would also not be effective since it lacks the localized sensitivity provided by the dorsal aspect alone.

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