Auscultation of the Posterior Lungs


POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. The passage of air through the tracheobronchial tree creates a characteristic set of noises audible through the chest wall. These sounds may be modified by obstruction within the respiratory passageways or by changes in the lung parenchyma, the pleura, or the chest wall.
2. Use the flat diaphragm of your stethoscope and press firmly on the posterior chest. Remember that lung sounds are high-pitched sounds. 
3. If possible, ask the patient to take a deeper than normal breath and to breath through their mouth
4. Remember to monitor your patient's breathing throughout the examination. Offer times for the person to rest and breathe normally.
5. Move from apex to the base of the lungs going from side to side.  Listen at each site for at least one complete respiratory cycle.  

Click on the link below to watch a flash movie on auscultation of the posterior lungs and observe the sequence used.