Question

The nurse is having trouble auscultating the apical impulse of an obese patient. Which action by the nurse would improve this assessment?

Answer 1

The nurse can improve the assessment of the apical impulse in an obese patient by asking the patient to lie on their left side, using a smaller-sized stethoscope bell or diaphragm, and asking the patient to take slow, deep breaths.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse can improve the assessment of the apical impulse in an obese patient by asking the patient to lie on their left side. This position helps to bring the heart closer to the chest wall, making it easier to auscultate the apical impulse. Additionally, the nurse can use a smaller-sized stethoscope bell or diaphragm to better capture the sounds. Finally, the nurse can ask the patient to take slow, deep breaths during the assessment, which can help to amplify the sound of the apical impulse.