Corpus: Pulmonary auscultation

Lung auscultation is the process of listening to breath sounds and other respiratory noises produced during breathing in the chest area. It is typically performed using a stethoscope and is an essential part of the physical examination.

Lung auscultation allows for the detection of abnormal changes in the lungs using a simple method, providing important clues for further diagnostic evaluation.

Lung auscultation is performed with the patient in a seated position. Ideally, the patient should sit on a height-adjustable stool, leaning slightly forward to ensure all areas of the chest are easily accessible.

During auscultation, the patient is instructed to breathe in and out deeply with their mouth slightly open. However, breathing should not be exaggerated to avoid hyperventilation.

Auscultation should follow a structured pattern to ensure no areas are overlooked. A common approach is to start at the back (dorsal), then move to the sides (lateral), and finally to the front (ventral), always proceeding from top to bottom (cranial to caudal). To assess differences between the two lungs, auscultation should be performed alternately on the left and right sides. Both inhalation and exhalation should be listened to at each position to gain a complete understanding of the patient's breathing patterns.