Auscultation Technique
This part of the stethoscope is used when auscultating lung sounds.
What is the diaphragm?
These musical sounds are caused by air rushing through narrowed airways.
What are wheezes?
This is how the arms should be positioned when listening to the posterior chest.
What is resting in the lap?
Fine crackles are often heard in this chronic lung disease.
What is COPD?
These sounds resemble Velcro being pulled apart.
What are fine crackles?
You should start auscultating here and move downward, comparing both sides.
What is the top of the chest?
These popping "Velcro" sounds are common in COPD and pneumonia.
What are fine crackles?
This position helps separate the scapulae for better posterior auscultation.
What is sitting up with arms in lap?
Coarse crackles are a common finding in this infection.
What is pneumonia?
These sounds may resemble a snore.
What are rhonchi?
This pace should be allowed when the patient is breathing during auscultation.
What is the patient’s natural pace?
These rattling sounds are usually cleared with coughing.
What are coarse crackles?
Posterior auscultation is more effective when this bone is not in the way.
What is the scapula?
Wheezing is a classic symptom of this condition.
What is asthma?
These are musical and squeaky and do not clear with coughing.
What are wheezes?
This side of the chest must be auscultated in addition to the anterior.
What is the posterior side?
These rough, grating sounds are caused by inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing together.
What is a pleural friction rub?
Patients with this condition should not be rushed during auscultation.
What is COPD?
Rhonchi can be heard in this inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
What is bronchitis?
These are loud and grating, caused by inflamed pleural surfaces.
What is a pleural friction rub?
Patients should breathe through this when lung sounds are being assessed.
What is the mouth?
These snoring sounds are heard when there are thick secretions or obstructions.
What are rhonchi?
Allowing the patient to set the breathing pace helps prevent this.
What is hyperventilation?
Pleural friction rubs may occur with this infectious disease.
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
These are low-pitched rattling sounds often cleared with a cough.
What are coarse crackles?