Final answer:
To listen for abnormal sounds with a stethoscope, clinicians place the stethoscope in various chest locations to hear different heart valves and in the antecubital region when measuring blood pressure. Proper stethoscope placement is crucial, and listening techniques may include noting the effects of deep breathing on heart murmurs.
Step-by-step explanation:
How to Listen for Abnormal Heart Sounds with a Stethoscope
Listerning for abnormal sounds when auscultating a patient's heart requires careful utilization of a stethoscope. This is one of the most essential diagnostic tools for clinicians. The process generally includes the proper placement of the stethoscope's bell or diaphragm over specific areas of the chest, where different heart valves can be best heard. It can also involve using the stethoscope to measure blood pressure and listen for Korotkoff sounds indicating systolic and diastolic pressures.
To detect abnormal sounds, the clinician wraps an inflatable cuff around the patient's upper arm and inflates it to halt blood flow in the artery. Then, placing the stethoscope in the antecubital region, they gradually release air from the cuff. Listening for the Korotkoff sounds helps determine blood pressure and the presence of any unusual sounds.
An effective stethoscope placement for auscultation may include listening to the heart's apex or other areas where specific valves are more audible during the cardiac cycle, noting the characteristic 'lub dub' sounds of a healthy heart. Abnormal sounds or heart murmurs can be intensified by deep breathing, which affects the blood flow and thus the sounds emanating from the heart's right or left side, depending on the phase of respiration.