Techniques

The following are recommendations to perform adequate auscultation:

1. A quiet, well lit, warm room. [This eliminates extraneous noise and facilitates cardiac inspection.]
2. A properly disrobed patient. [This permits the stethoscope to be placed directly on the chest.]
3. Ability to examine patient supine, sitting, and in left lateral recumbent positions (see Diagram A). [Various sounds, especially abnormal sounds, may be elicited in different positions.]
4. Ability to examine from right side. [This decreases the likelihood of producing extraneous sounds from the tubing of the stethoscope hitting objects.]
5. A stethoscope with both a bell and diaphragm or capacity to act as a bell and diaphragm. [The bell when held lightly against the chest picks up sounds of low frequency. The diaphragm when firmly pressed so that it leaves an after imprint picks up sounds of high frequency.]
6. A sequence of auscultation (see Diagram B). Minimally four areas should be auscultated using first the diaphragm and then the bell:
1. Left Lateral Sternal Border (LLSB)-the fourth intercostal space to the left of the sternum. Tricuspid and right heart sounds are heard best in this area.
2. Apex-the fifth intercostal space in the midclavicular line. Mitral and left heart sounds are heard best in this area.
3. Base Right-second intercostal space to the right of the sternum. Sounds from the aortic valve are best heard here.
4. Base Left-second intercostal space to the left of the sternum. Sounds from the pulmonic valve are best heard here.
7. Ability to selectively listen. [One sound at a time is attended to. When listening to sounds in systole, sounds in diastole are initially ignored.]

The sequence listed above is only one of the many acceptable ones. The important point is that the four areas mentioned be auscultated each time in a consistent manner, and that each area be assessed for sounds of both low and high frequencies.

You are now ready to begin listening to the various heart sounds. When you hear each sound, keep in mind the various characteristics of sound and the fundamental procedures used in listening to the heart.

Stethoscope Basics

Techniques: Learn how to get the best acoustical performance from your stethoscope. History of Stethoscopes: Learn the history of one of the most valuable diagnostic instructions in the history of medicine. Stethoscope Anatomy: Dissect one of our most popular stethoscopes and learn the significance of each piece. Short vs. Long Tubing: Determine the tubing length that is right for you. Differences in Acoustics: Discover what variables contribute to acoustical response.