Chest Auscultations

RIGHT (3)

• Upper lobe 
• Middle lobe 
• Lower lobe 

LEFT (2)

• Upper lobe 
• Lower lobe 

Listen for:
–Breath sounds
–Any adventitious (added) sounds

Breath sounds.

Any adventitious (added) sounds.

If abnormalities, listen to transmitted voice sounds. 
–If abnormalities, listen to transmitted voice sounds (Ask patient to say ‘ninety nine’)

Bronchial
•Louder, harsher
•Expiratory sounds lasts longethan inspiratory
•Bronchovesicular
•Intermediate intens•Inspiration and expirationsounds about equal
•Vesicular
•Soft, low pitched
•Inspiration and first 1/3
expiration

Decreased/absent
–Atelectasis (eg mucus plug in a mainstem bronchus)
–Pleural effusion
–Pneumothorax (over the pleural a–COPDBronchial –Consolidation (pneumonia, pulmonary oedema)

1) Crackles- Intermittent fine or coarse 

2) Wheezes- High pitched 

3) Ronchi- Low pitched 

4) Stridor- High pitched crowing, usually heard without stethescope 

5) Pleural friction rub- low pitched grating/rubbing sounds heard on inspiration or expiration