Final answer:
When documenting a murmur, it is important to record the timing, location, radiation, and characteristics of the murmur.
Step-by-step explanation:
When documenting a murmur, four elements need to be recorded:
- The timing of the murmur - whether it occurs during systole (when the heart is contracting) or diastole (when the heart is relaxing).
- The location of the murmur - which valve is producing the murmur (e.g., mitral valve, aortic valve, etc.).
- The radiation of the murmur - whether the sound can be heard in other areas of the chest or back.
- The characteristics of the murmur - such as its intensity, pitch, and quality. For example, a murmur can be described as soft or loud, high or low pitched, and blowing or harsh.