Auscultation Flashcards
What is auscultation
The process of listening to and interpreting the sounds produced within the thorax
What are you listening for
Breath sounds and added sounds
What are breath sounds
Can either be normal, increased or decreased/absent
How are breath sounds generated
Turbulent air in
Transmitted through lung to chest wall
Normal breath sounds
No pause between inspiration and expiration
Increased breath sounds
Louder more coarse
Define pause in between inspiration and exhalation
Due to consolidation , collapse
Decreased breath sounds
A much quieter breath sound due to positioning, collapse, pleural effusion
Added sounds 3 types
Crackles
Wheeze
Pleural rub
Crackles
Crackles happen when a closed section of airway separating them suddenly opens
Early inspiration crackles
Proximal airways
Late inspiratory crackles
Peripheral airways
Early expiratory crackles
Proximal airways
Late expiratory crackles
Peripheral airways
Wheeze
Caused by air passing through. A narrow airway
2 types monophonic and polyphonic
Pleural rub
Freaky leathery sounds
Pleural surfaces rubbing together
