#Listen to lung sounds full

Step 4: In each location, listen to one full respiration (inspiration and expiration) and compare air entry bilaterally. See Figure 3.12 below.įigure 3.12: Placement pattern for auscultation of lateral thorax

On the lateral thorax, place the stethoscope at three locations on the right side so that you listen to the right upper, middle, and lower lobes, and then two locations to listen to the left upper and lower lobe.

Image by Claudio_Scott from Pixabay (image was cropped and illustrated upon for the purposes of this chapter) Toward the bottom, listen close to the vertebral line and also move laterally.įigure 3.11: Placement pattern for auscultation of posterior thorax As you move down the thorax, place your stethoscope close to the vertebral line so that you avoid listening over the scapula.

On the posterior thorax, begin at the shoulders at the scapular line, moving from one side to the other side, then move down, and repeat.

Note that the posterior thorax is primarily lower lobes. For example, less locations are needed on a client with a smaller thorax (e.g., infants). The number of locations depends on the size of the thorax. See Figure 3.11 for the placement pattern. Step 3:Place the stethoscope’s diaphragm on the chest in about four to eight locations on each side of the posterior thorax and then at three locations on the right lateral thorax and at two locations on the left lateral thorax so that you listen to all lung lobes. Also be aware that older adults may have difficulty taking a big breath. You should notify them that they can take a break and breathe normally if they need to.

Keep in mind that breathing a bit more deeply may trigger shortness of breath or dizziness for some clients.

Instruct the client to breathe through the mouth because this makes it easier for you to listen to lung sounds, particularly if there is any nasal congestion or obstructions.Step 2: Ensure the client is in an upright position and ask them to take a big breath in and out through the mouth each time they feel the stethoscope on their posterior thorax. Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and cleanse the stethoscope. Posterior and Lateral Thorax – AuscultationĪuscultating the posterior and lateral thorax involves the following steps (see Video 3.5):