RN Nursing · Respiratory Assessment · Practice question
Which technique will the nurse use to auscultate the chest of an adult client?
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Lightly hold the bell of the stethoscope against the skin on the chest to avoid friction.
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Instruct the client to take deep, rapid breaths.
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Instruct the client to breathe in and out only through their nose.
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✓
Firmly hold the diaphragm of the stethoscope against the skin of the chest
Answer & explanation
Correct: Firmly hold the diaphragm of the stethoscope against the skin of the chest
When auscultating the chest of an adult client, the nurse should firmly hold the diaphragm of the stethoscope against the skin of the chest. The diaphragm is the larger, flat surface of the stethoscope and is designed to pick up high-pitched sounds such as normal breath sounds, crackles, and wheezes. Firm contact ensures a proper seal and prevents extraneous noise from air leaking around the edges, which could mask or distort lung sounds. The diaphragm should be pressed firmly — not lightly — against the chest wall. The bell is reserved for low-pitched sounds such as heart murmurs and bruits, not routine lung assessment. Lightly holding the bell against the skin during respiratory auscultation is incorrect technique and may produce friction artifact. Instructing the client to take deep, rapid breaths is also inappropriate; clients should breathe slowly and deeply through the mouth to maximize air movement and allow adequate assessment time between breaths. Breathing only through the nose restricts airflow and makes it harder to hear full breath sounds. Therefore, the correct technique combines the diaphragm, firm contact, and slow, deep mouth breathing during chest auscultation.
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