Which is a normal finding on auscultation of the lungs?

Tympany over the right upper lobe

Resonance over the left upper lobe

Hyperresonance over the left lower lobe

Dullness above the left 10th intercostal space

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Lung assessment is a key component of a comprehensive physical examination. Nurses and healthcare providers use percussion and auscultation to evaluate lung structure and function.

Rationale for correct answer:

2. Resonance over the left upper lobe: Resonance is the expected normal percussion sound over healthy lung tissue, including the left upper lobe. It indicates the presence of air within the alveoli and suggests that the lung is well-aerated.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

1. Tympany over the right upper lobe: Tympany is a high-pitched, drum-like sound typically heard over air-filled organs like the stomach or in cases of a large pneumothorax. It is not normal over lung tissue, including the right upper lobe.

3. Hyperresonance over the left lower lobe: Hyperresonance is louder and lower-pitched than normal resonance and often suggests excess air, as seen in emphysema or a pneumothorax. It is not a normal finding over any lung area and should prompt further evaluation.

4. Dullness above the left 10th intercostal space: Dullness on percussion indicates increased density, such as fluid (pleural effusion) or consolidation (pneumonia). This is not a normal finding and may signal underlying pathology in the lung or pleural space.

Take-home points

Resonance is the normal percussion sound over healthy, aerated lung fields.
Any deviation-such as dullness, tympany, or hyperresonance-may indicate underlying pathology.

Nursing Test Bank

Test Bank #1: RN Pharmacology Exams Test Bank #2: RN Medical-Surgical Exams Test Bank #3: RN Fundamentals Exams Test Bank #4: RN Maternal-Newborn Exams Test Bank #5: RN Anatomy and Physiology Exams Test Bank #6: RN Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Test Bank #7: RN Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Test Bank #9: RN Adult Health Test Bank #10: RN Dosage Calculation Test Bank #11: RN Community Health Exams Test Bank #12: RN Psychology Exams Test Bank #13: RN Nursing Care Of Children Test Bank #14: RN Foundations of Nursing Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Exam #1: RN Comprehensive predictor 2023 proctored exam Exam #2: Ati rn vati comprehensive predictor proctored exam Exam #3: Ati Rn Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam 2023 Exam #4: Rn Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam - St. Joseph Exam #5: RN Comprehensive Predictor Proctored Exam (National U CA San Diego) Exam #6: Ati rn comprehensive predictor 2023 retake proctored exam Exam #7: RN Hesi Exit Proctored Exam Exam #8: Hesi RN Exit proctored exam Exam #9: Hesi rn exit proctored exam Exam #10: Hesi Rn compass exit B proctored exam

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Auscultation of the heart involves listening to specific valve areas over the chest to assess the function and detect abnormalities in heart sounds. These valve areas do not correspond precisely to the anatomical position of the valves, but rather to where the sounds are best heard.

Rationale for correct answer:

4. Placed slightly below 3 (Lower Left Sternal Border): Number 4 represents the 4th or 5th left intercostal space at the lower left sternal border, the traditional location for auscultating the tricuspid valve.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

1. To the right of aorta: This is the 2nd right intercostal space, where the aortic valve is auscultated.

2. At left atrium (2nd left intercostal space): This is the pulmonic valve area, not the tricuspid. Located at the 2nd left intercostal space, this site is used for auscultating pulmonic valve sounds.

3. Placed slightly below 2: This is near Erb’s point (3rd left intercostal space), where both aortic and pulmonic murmurs may be heard equally well-but it's not specific to the tricuspid valve.

5. Near apex: This is the mitral valve area, located at the 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line, where mitral valve sounds are best heard (especially mitral regurgitation or stenosis murmurs).

6. At xiphoid process: It may be useful for detecting certain low-frequency heart sounds in children but is not used for valve assessment in adults.

Take home points:

The tricuspid valve is best auscultated at the lower left sternal border in the 4th or 5th intercostal space.
Knowing the auscultation sites for all four heart valves (aortic, pulmonic, tricuspid, and mitral) helps identify specific murmurs and cardiac abnormalities more accurately.

A. Bruit over the aorta B. Absence of bowel sounds for 60 seconds C. Continuous bowel sounds over the ileocecal valve D. A completely irregular pattern of bowel sounds

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Auscultation of the abdomen is a vital step in assessing gastrointestinal and vascular function. It helps detect bowel motility, vascular abnormalities, and potential obstructions. Normally, bowel sounds are present and irregular, occurring every 5-15 seconds.

Rationale for correct answer:

1. Bruit over the aorta: A bruit is a swishing or whooshing sound heard over an artery, indicating turbulent blood flow-often due to aneurysm or arterial stenosis. A bruit over the abdominal aorta can signal an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a potentially life-threatening condition.

Rationale for incorrect answers:

2.Absence of bowel sounds for 60 seconds: Bowel sounds can be irregular, and 60 seconds is not enough time to confirm absence. To declare absent bowel sounds, the nurse must listen in all four quadrants for a full 5 minutes.

3. Continuous bowel sounds over the ileocecal valve: The ileocecal valve, located in the right lower quadrant, is often the most active region of the abdomen. Continuous or frequent bowel sounds here may be normal, especially after eating.

4. A completely irregular pattern of bowel sounds: Bowel sounds are normally irregular in rhythm and timing. They can vary in pitch and frequency, and this irregularity is a normal finding.

Take home points

A bruit over the abdominal aorta is an abnormal vascular sound and may indicate a serious condition like an abdominal aortic aneurysm. It should be reported immediately.
Bowel sounds are naturally irregular-their absence must be confirmed by listening for a full 5 minutes before reporting.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

Which is a normal finding on auscultation of the lungs?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which number corresponds to the area of the chest where you would auscultate for the tricuspid valve?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

After auscultating the abdomen, the nurse should report which finding to the primary care provider?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which of the following are normal findings you should find during a physical exam? Select all that apply

If unable to locate the client’s popliteal pulse during a routine examination, what should the nurse do next?

A patient has undergone surgery for a femoral artery bypass. The surgeon’s orders include assessment of dorsalis pedis pulses. The nurse will use which of the following techniques to assess the pulses? Select all that apply

If the client reports loss of short-term memory, the nurse would assess this using which one of the following?

The nurse positions the client sitting upright during palpation of which area?

A patient has been admitted from the emergency department (ED) with a primary problem of abdominal pain. Diagnostic tests performed in the ED are pending. The nurse focuses an examination on the abdomen and uses the following techniques. Which technique is correct?

Which of the following is an expected finding during assessment of the older adult?

To palpate lymph nodes, the nurse uses which technique?