Auscultation Definition etc

• Auscultation:

  • Listening to and interpreting the sounds produced within the thorax
  • Divided into breath sounds (BS) and added sounds (AS)
  • Auscultation is important BUT only makes up one component of a chest assessment
  • Used to verify observed and palpated findings
• Auscultation

  
• Points to remember:

  • Increased liver size will cause a decrease in right lower lobe breath sounds
  • Beware of water in oxygen/ventilator tubing
  • Beware of bubbling from ICDs
  • An increase in stomach size will cause a decrease in left lower lobe breath sounds (may hear gurgling)
  • Auscultation can be done pre and post treatment (outcome measure)
  • You have to listen posteriorly to assess lower lobes
  • Ideal position – forward lean sitting