Sherpath: Examination Techniques and Equipment Questions and Verified Answers | Passed | A+

1. During auscultation of the patient's chest, how should the nurse position the stethoscope to minimize extraneous noises? : Position the head of the stethoscope between the second and third fingers and position it on the patient's skin - Holding the head of the stethoscope between the second and third fingers stabilizes the head and prevents extraneous noises. Placing the head of the stethoscope on the patient's skin prevents extraneous noises. 2. When using a stethoscope during the physical exam, how should the stethoscope be positioned in the nurse's ears to optimize hearing and comfort? : The earpieces should fit snugly in the ear canals -The earpieces should fit snugly and completely fill the ear canals to block outside sound. The earpieces should be angled toward the nose 2 -Angling the earpieces toward the nose directs the sound to the tympanic membrane and provides a comfortable fit. 3. When auscultating the patient's lungs, how should the head of the stethoscope be held? : The diaphragm held firmly on the posterior lung fields - The diaphragm held firmly on the posterior lung fields channels the high-pitched lung sounds through the stethoscope into the examiner's ears. 4. What action by the nurse is most appropriate to ensure an accurate pulse oximetry reading for a patient wearing fingernail polish? : Remove all the nail polish from the finger before placing the sensor probe 5. Which patient would the nurse anticipate having an inaccurate pulse oximetry reading? : An agitated patient thrashing in the be