The nurse prepares to begin a systematic assessment of a client's heart sounds. Upon positioning the stethoscope as seen in the picture, which should the nurse do first?
Listen for abnormal sounds.
Identify S1 and S2 heart sounds.
Move the stethoscope to the apical site.
Change to the bell of the stethoscope.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Listen for abnormal sounds. Before identifying abnormal sounds, it's essential to first establish a baseline by identifying the normal heart sounds (S1 and S2).
B. Identify S1 and S2 heart sounds. This is the correct first step in a systematic assessment of heart sounds. S1 ("lub") corresponds to the closure of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid), while S2 ("dub") corresponds to the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonic).
C. Move the stethoscope to the apical site. While the apical site is important for auscultating specific heart sounds, it's best to first identify S1 and S2 at the traditional auscultatory areas (aortic, pulmonic, tricuspid, and mitral).
D. Change to the bell of the stethoscope. The bell of the stethoscope is used to listen for lower-pitched sounds, but it's not typically used for identifying S1 and S2 heart sounds, which are higher-pitched.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Obtain a dietary consultation for nutrition teaching: Diet might play a role in some thyroid conditions, but a referral for dietary consultation wouldn't be the first step.
B. Instruct the client in the need to use iodized salt: Iodine deficiency can cause goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), but most table salt in developed countries is iodized.
C. Request diagnostic laboratory testing for the client: This is the most appropriate next step. Blood tests can help determine the cause of the enlarged thyroid gland.
D. Schedule a follow-up appointment in one month: A follow-up might be needed, but further workup is essential to determine the cause of the finding.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A bubbling sound heard during inspiration and expiration in the central airways: This description is accurate. Crackles (also called rales) are often heard in conditions like pulmonary edema or pneumonia.
B. A crowing noise heard during inspiration over the trachea: This description refers to stridor, not crackles. Stridor occurs due to upper airway obstruction.
C. Popping, non-musical sounds heard in the lung bases, usually during inspiration: This description is accurate for crackles. They occur due to fluid or secretions in the alveoli.
D. Superficial squeaking or grating sounds heard during inspiration and expiration: This description refers to wheezes, not crackles. Wheezes are associated with narrowed airways.
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