Final answer:
It is false that the apical pulse is auscultated over the 3rd intercostal space; it is actually found at the fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line, which corresponds to the heart's apex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the apical pulse is auscultated over the 3rd intercostal space is false. The apical pulse, which correlates with the tip or apex of the heart, is actually auscultated at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line. The location of the heart in the thoracic cavity determines the areas where different cardiac sounds, including the heart valves, are best heard. The base of the heart is indeed at the level of the third costal cartilage; however, that is not where the apex is located nor the ideal location to listen for the apical pulse.
Auscultation is a critical diagnostic technique used to assess heart function, and knowing the correct places for stethoscope placement is essential for proper diagnosis. The proper auscultation technique involves placing the bell of the stethoscope at the precise location on the chest where the sounds of specific heart valves are most prominently heard. As such, the point of maximal impulse (PMI), typically used for assessing the apical pulse, is found at the fifth intercostal space.