The nurse is auscultating heart sounds on a client and hears an extra sound late in diastole, just before the S1. How should the nurse document this finding?

A. A slight asymmetry in breast size can be expected: This response is accurate. It acknowledges the natural variation in breast size that many women experience. It's common for one breast to be slightly larger or shaped differently than the other. It assures the client that this asymmetry is normal and not a cause for concern.

B. Asymmetry of breast size and shape is probably due to breastfeeding and is nothing to worry about: While breastfeeding can cause temporary changes in breast size and shape, not all cases of breast asymmetry are related to breastfeeding. This statement might not cover all situations, making it less accurate.

C. A sudden uneven increase in breast size is normal in adults: This statement is not accurate. Sudden changes in breast size should always be investigated, as they can indicate underlying health issues and may not be considered normal.

D. Breasts should always be symmetric: This statement is not accurate. Perfect symmetry in breast size and shape is rare. Most women have some degree of asymmetry, which is entirely normal. It's important to reassure the client that slight differences are common and not a cause for concern.

A. The third heart sound (S3):

The third heart sound (S3) is an abnormal heart sound that occurs during early diastole, immediately after S2 (the second heart sound). It is caused by the rapid filling of the ventricles and is often associated with conditions like heart failure. In heart failure, the ventricles become stiff, causing vibrations that produce the S3 sound.

B. A friction rub:

A friction rub is a high-pitched, scratchy sound heard during both systole and diastole. It is caused by the rubbing together of inflamed pericardial layers (pericarditis) and is usually heard best at the left lower sternal border. Friction rubs can indicate pericardial inflammation and are often heard in conditions such as pericarditis or after a myocardial infarction.

C. The fourth heart sound (S4):

The fourth heart sound (S4) occurs late in diastole, just before S1, and is caused by atrial contraction. It is associated with increased resistance to ventricular filling, often due to conditions like hypertension or aortic stenosis. The S4 sound is heard as a low-pitched "atrial gallop."

D. A split second heart sound S2:

The second heart sound (S2) represents the closure of the aortic and pulmonic valves. Normally, S2 has two components: A2 (aortic valve closure) and P2 (pulmonic valve closure). A split S2 occurs when A2 and P2 do not close simultaneously. A physiological split S2 is common during inspiration and occurs due to delayed closure of the pulmonic valve. An abnormal or fixed split S2 can indicate underlying heart conditions such as atrial septal defect (ASD) or right bundle branch block (RBBB).