Question

The nurse is assessing heart sounds on a school-age child. Which should the nurse document as abnormal findings if found on the assessment?

a. S1 and S2 sounds heard over the mitral area.
b. Splitting of the S2 sound during inspiration.
c. A soft blowing sound heard during systole.
d. A regular rhythm with a rate of 100 beats per minute.

Answer 1

In a normal, healthy heart, there are two audible heart sounds: S1 and S2. Abnormal findings during assessment on a school-age child include S3, S4, and heart murmurs.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a normal, healthy heart, there are only two audible heart sounds: S1 and S2. S1 is the sound created by the closing of the atrioventricular valves during ventricular contraction and is normally described as a "lub," or first heart sound. The second heart sound, S2, is the sound of the closing of the semilunar valves during ventricular diastole and is described as a "dub."

Therefore, the nurse should document S3 and S4 as abnormal findings if heard during the assessment, as these sounds are not typically heard in healthy individuals. A soft blowing sound heard during systole is called a heart murmur, which is also considered an abnormal finding.