Auscultation
Auscultation should be conducted in a systematic manner, comparing
the same area on the left and right side while visualizing the underlying
lung structures. Ideally patients should be sitting upright and be asked to
breathe through the mouth to reduce nose turbulence.
Breath sounds
Normal
More prominent at the top of the lungs and centrally, with the volume
decreasing towards the bases and periphery. Expiration is shorter and
quieter than inspiration and follows inspiration without a pause.
Abnormal (bronchial breathing)
Similar to the breath sounds heard when listening over the trachea. They
are typically loud and harsh and can be heard throughout inspiration and
expiration. Expiration is longer than inspiration and there is a pause
between the two. They occur if air is replaced by solid tissue, which
transmits sound more clearly. Caused by consolidation, areas of collapse
with adjacent open bronchus, pleural effusion, tumour.
Diminished
Breath sounds will be reduced if air entry is compromised by either an
obstruction or a decrease in airflow. Caused by pneumothorax, pleural
effusion, emphysema, collapse with occluded bronchus, atelectasis,
inability to breathe deeply, obesity
Auscultation should be conducted in a systematic manner, comparing
the same area on the left and right side while visualizing the underlying
lung structures. Ideally patients should be sitting upright and be asked to
breathe through the mouth to reduce nose turbulence.
Breath sounds
Normal
More prominent at the top of the lungs and centrally, with the volume
decreasing towards the bases and periphery. Expiration is shorter and
quieter than inspiration and follows inspiration without a pause.
Abnormal (bronchial breathing)
Similar to the breath sounds heard when listening over the trachea. They
are typically loud and harsh and can be heard throughout inspiration and
expiration. Expiration is longer than inspiration and there is a pause
between the two. They occur if air is replaced by solid tissue, which
transmits sound more clearly. Caused by consolidation, areas of collapse
with adjacent open bronchus, pleural effusion, tumour.
Diminished
Breath sounds will be reduced if air entry is compromised by either an
obstruction or a decrease in airflow. Caused by pneumothorax, pleural
effusion, emphysema, collapse with occluded bronchus, atelectasis,
inability to breathe deeply, obesity
