During a physical examination, what method does a physician use to discover a bruit?

The method a physician uses to discover a bruit is auscultation. This technique involves listening to the sounds produced by internal organs, including the heart and blood vessels, using a stethoscope. A bruit is an abnormal sound, often described as a whooshing or swishing noise, that is indicative of turbulent blood flow, typically due to narrowing of a blood vessel. Auscultation is essential for identifying these sounds, as it allows the physician to detect variations from the normal flow of blood, which can indicate underlying health issues.

In contrast, palpation involves feeling the body's tissues to assess their size, shape, firmness, or location. Inspection refers to visually examining the body for signs of disease, such as swelling or discoloration. Percussion entails tapping on the body surface to assess the underlying structure based on the sounds produced. While all these methods are important in a physical examination, only auscultation is appropriate for specifically identifying a bruit.