IPPA is a term used to describe the four main steps of physical examination: inspection

Inspection

An inspection is, most generally, an organized examination or formal evaluation exercise. In engineering activities inspection involves the measurements, tests, and gauges applied to certain characteristics in regard to an object or activity...

, palpation

Palpation

Palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location...

, percussion, and auscultation

Auscultation

Auscultation is the term for listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope...

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Although the steps are consistent across organ systems, the order may vary. Notably, for the abdominal exam, auscultation is performed before palpation, because the act of palpation could change what was auscultated.