Lung Sounds

Breath sounds are the audible result of air moving through the upper and lower airways. They provide clues about airflow, airway narrowing, secretions, alveolar reopening, and pleural inflammation, but they do not identify a disease by themselves. An experienced nurse looks at the patient before focusing on the stethoscope: respiratory effort, ability to speak, color, mental status, posture, and oxygen saturation establish urgency. The same wheeze has a different priority in a comfortable patient who speaks normally than in a patient who is tiring and can speak only a few words. Interpret auscultation with respiratory rate and pattern, chest expansion, accessory-muscle use, percussion, vital signs, symptoms, and clinical appearance.