Auscultation is listening to the sounds of the body during a physical examination. Auscultation is a method used to listen to the sounds of the body during a physical examination by using a stethoscope. A patient's lungs, heart, and intestines are the most common organs heard during auscultation. Auscultation is usually done
using a tool called a stethoscope. Health care providers routinely listen to a person's lungs, heart, and intestines to evaluate these things about the sounds: Providers also use auscultation to listen to the heart sounds of unborn infants. This can be done with a stethoscope or with sound waves (called Doppler ultrasound). Auscultation can also be used to hear pulses in the arms and legs. Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Examination techniques and equipment. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical
Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 3. Swartz MH, Swartz TH. The physical examination. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6. Last reviewed on: 5/3/2021 Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Chemocare.com About Health AssessmentsMany people who visit the doctor or healthcare provider's office wonder: "What are they doing? What are they looking for?" During a physical examination, there are many things that your healthcare provider may be looking for as they are gathering cues and clues, during the short time you are in the office. Some of the clues are based on the spoken information that you provide, or they may be based on physical examination findings. During a health assessment, diagnosing an illness, disorder or a condition is like a puzzle. Diagnosis often includes laboratory studies, radiology studies to look at certain organs, and the physical exam itself. This process is called data collection. Before modern technology, it was important for healthcare providers to perfect their physical examination techniques, because x-ray machines, scanners, and echocardiograms were non-existent. In a physical examination, there are many things that your healthcare provider can find out by using their hands to feel (palpate), stethoscope and ears to listen, and eyes to see. Findings that are present on the physical exam may by themselves diagnose, or be helpful to diagnose, many diseases. The components of a physical exam include: InspectionYour examiner will look at, or "inspect" specific areas of your body for normal color, shape and consistency. Certain findings on "inspection" may alert your healthcare provider to focus other parts of the physical exam on certain areas of your body. For example, your legs may be swollen. Your healthcare provider will then pay special attention to the common things that cause leg swelling, such as extra fluid caused by your heart, and use this information to help them make a diagnosis. Common areas that are inspected may include:
PalpationThis is when the examiner uses their hands to feel for abnormalities during a health assessment. Things that are commonly palpated during an exam include your lymph nodes, chest wall (to see if your heart is beating harder than normal), and your abdomen. He or she will use palpation to see if there are any masses or lumps, anywhere in your body. PercussionThis is when the examiner uses their hands to "tap" on an area of your body. The "tapping" produces different sounds. Depending on the kind of sounds that are produced over your abdomen, on your back or chest wall, your healthcare provider may determine anything from fluid in your lungs, or a mass in your stomach. This will provide further clues to a possible diagnosis. AuscultationThis is an important physical examination technique used by your healthcare provider, where he or she will listen to your heart, lungs, neck or abdomen, to identify if any problems are present. Auscultation is often performed by using a stethoscope. The stethoscope will amplify sounds heard in the area that is being listened to. If there is an abnormal finding on your examination, further testing may be suggested.
The Neurologic Examination:
Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice. Chemocare.com is designed to provide the latest information about chemotherapy to patients and their families, caregivers and friends. For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www.4thangel.org Which examination method is the process of listening to body sounds?Auscultation is listening to the sounds of the body during a physical examination. Auscultation is a method used to listen to the sounds of the body during a physical examination by using a stethoscope. A patient's lungs, heart, and intestines are the most common organs heard during auscultation.
What are the 4 types of physical assessment?WHEN YOU PERFORM a physical assessment, you'll use four techniques: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
Which technique of physical assessment would the nurse use to hear bowel sounds?Lastly, auscultation is listening to an area of the body using a stethoscope. For example, bowel sounds, lung sounds and heart sounds are auscultated with a stethoscope.
What is a palpation assessment?Palpation is a method of feeling with the fingers or hands during a physical examination. The health care provider touches and feels your body to examine the size, consistency, texture, location, and tenderness of an organ or body part.
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