Question

During data collection, if the nurse auscultates low-pitched, soft sounds over the lungs’ peripheral fields, what appropriate terminology would the nurse use to describe these lung sounds when documenting?

a) Wheezes
b) Rhonchi
c) Crackles
d) Stridor

Answer 1

The appropriate terminology for low-pitched, soft sounds over the lungs' peripheral fields that a nurse may hear is 'vesicular breath sounds', representing normal respiratory sounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

During data collection, if a nurse auscultates low-pitched, soft sounds over the lungs’ peripheral fields, the appropriate terminology to describe these lung sounds when documenting is vesicular breath sounds. These are normal sounds heard during auscultation of the lungs, typically characterized by a soft intensity and low pitch, resembling the sound of rustling leaves. It is important to differentiate these from abnormal lung sounds such as wheezes, rhonchi, crackles, and stridor, which indicate various pulmonary conditions and would be noted accordingly if present.