Auscultation: Breath Sounds Dr. Twiner Garrett Academy of Technology

Steps for accurate auscultation of breath sounds… Steps for accurate auscultation of breath sounds…. (click on the pictures!) Step 1: What are “breath sounds”? Step 2: What are you listening for? Step 3: Where do you listen? Step 4: Putting it all together. Step 5 : Now it is your turn!

What are breath sounds? (click on the picture!) Return to main menu

What are you listening for? (click on the picture!) Listen to the normal breath sound first, then the two abnormal sounds. How would you describe them? Return to main menu

Where do you listen? (click on the picture!) A few things to remember: Do not listen through clothing. Compare side to side and then move to the next location. Using the numbers on the diagram will help ensure that you remember to check side to side. If a patient cannot sit up, auscultation can be performed with the patient lying on the side. Return to main menu

Let’s put it all together Let’s put it all together! (click on the grey boxes to begin the demonstration video) What does it look like when you are auscultating for breath sounds? Video 1 Video 2 A few things to remember: Do not listen through clothing. Sometimes it is helpful to have the patient cough a few times before beginning to clear the airway. Have the patient take slow deep breaths through the mouth. Return to main menu

Now it is your turn! Congratulations! You now should feel comfortable auscultating for breath sounds. You will be assigned a partner to work with. Please complete the following steps: (get out your pencil!) 1. Identify the locations for auscultation. (see “where do you listen?”) 2. Have your patient put on a gown so that it is open in the back removing only your shirt and leaving your undergarments on. 3. Listen to the breath sounds on the posterior thorax only noting any unusual breath sounds. 4. Clean the stethoscope and switch roles. A few things to remember: Please respect your patient and the lab equipment. Absolutely NO horseplay will be tolerated. Please use the alcohol swabs to clean the diagram and ear piece of the stethoscope before and after auscultation. Return to main menu

Teacher Page Standards Assessed 10.2 C Use measurement functions for client assessment 10.2 M Compile and record client data