Auscultation of Lungs
You can easily identify abnormal lung sounds on your patient.
Auscultation of lung sounds takes practice. You can master this assessment skill very easily.
Have the patient breathe in and out slowly, and listen with your stethoscope to the left upper and lower lung fields. Then, the right upper middle and lower lobes of the lung.
Rales
This sounds like rice krispie cereal when you pour in the milk. Like a fine cracking noise.
Cause: Many times this patient may be suffering from congestive heart failure. The doctor may need to order a diuretic such as Lasix. The physician may also order BNP level to determine CHF.
Rhonchi
Rhonchi sounds like a grating noise and is often heard on expiration. Likely causes are pneumonia, bronchitis, infections of the lungs. Patients may have respiratory nebulizer treatments ordered.
Wheezes
Wheezes are musical, squeeking noises which are typically heard due to acute distress of asthma, or chronic respiratory illnesses. Wheezes may be audible without the stethoscope as well. A prime example is a child with an acute asthma attack, or an adult with a allergic reaction.
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