9 - Pulmonary auscultation
To be performed:
• Presentation to the patient
• Identity verification (patient identification)
• Proper patient positioning (seated on an examination table, bare-chested)
• Explanation of the reason for the procedure
• Explanation of the procedure
• Obtaining the patient's verbal consent
• Hand disinfection with an alcohol-based hand rub
Technical characteristics of the procedure:
• Correct placement of the stethoscope
• Auscultation of both lungs
• Instruction given to the patient to breathe deeply and slowly with their mouth open
• Auscultation using quadrants, bilaterally and comparatively:
• in the back (at least 3 x 2 points), laterally (at least 1 x 2 points), and
• on the anterior aspect (at least 2 x 3 points)
• Identifying normal sounds: tracheal sounds, breath sounds
• Listening for adventitial sounds:
o tubular or pleuritic murmur, pleural friction rub, wheezing, stridor, Rhonchi,
or crackling, subcrepitant
or Location of sounds: bibasal, focal
Written and performed by:
Dr. Maxime FIEUX - ENT
Reviewed by:
Professor Sébastien COURAUD - Pulmonologist