A nurse is assessing the carotid arteries of a client diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. What action should be performed next by the nurse when assessing the carotid arteries in this client?

A) Suprasternal notch:
This is incorrect. The suprasternal notch is a depression located at the top of the sternum, just above the manubrium. While this is an important landmark for palpating the trachea and assessing other structures in the thoracic region, it is not the point where the trachea bifurcates.

B) Xiphoid process:
This is incorrect. The xiphoid process is the small, pointed lower portion of the sternum. It is located at the inferior end of the sternum and does not play a role in the bifurcation of the trachea. The trachea bifurcates much higher in the thoracic region.

C) Costal angle:
This is incorrect. The costal angle is formed by the meeting of the costal margins of the ribs at the lower end of the ribcage. While it is an important anatomical landmark, it is not related to the bifurcation of the trachea.

D) Sternal angle:
This is the correct answer. The sternal angle (also known as the angle of Louis) is located at the junction between the manubrium and the body of the sternum, approximately at the level of the second rib. This is the anatomical landmark where the trachea bifurcates into the right and left mainstem bronchi, usually around the level of the T4 to T5 vertebrae. It is an important reference point during respiratory assessments.

A) Palpate the chest symmetrically:
Palpating the chest symmetrically is crucial when assessing tactile fremitus, as it allows the nurse to compare the intensity of vibrations felt on both sides of the chest. Tactile fremitus refers to the palpable vibrations transmitted through the bronchopulmonary system when a person speaks or breathes. Symmetrical palpation ensures that the nurse can detect any differences in fremitus, which may indicate abnormalities such as lung consolidation (e.g., pneumonia), pleural effusion, or pneumothorax. Uneven fremitus can suggest a pathological condition, and symmetrical palpation helps identify these variations.

B) Ask the client to cough:
Asking the client to cough is not directly related to the assessment of tactile fremitus. Coughing may be used in other aspects of the respiratory assessment (e.g., to clear secretions or to assess for a productive cough), but it is not necessary for palpating fremitus. Tactile fremitus is assessed while the client is speaking (e.g., repeating the phrase "ninety-nine") or breathing, not coughing.

C) Use the bell of the stethoscope:
The bell of the stethoscope is used for auscultating low-pitched sounds, such as heart murmurs or some lung sounds (e.g., certain adventitious sounds like crackles or wheezes). However, it is not used for palpating tactile fremitus, which is a physical exam technique that involves using the hands to feel for vibrations. Fremitus is a tactile (not auscultatory) finding, so the stethoscope, whether bell or diaphragm, is not relevant in this assessment.

D) Instruct the client to breathe deeply:
While it is important for the client to breathe deeply during a lung exam, deep breathing is not directly required for assessing tactile fremitus. Tactile fremitus is typically assessed while the client is speaking. When the client repeats a phrase like "ninety-nine," vibrations are transmitted through the chest wall, and the nurse can assess the intensity of the vibrations. Deep breathing would be more relevant for assessing breath sounds or the general respiratory effort.