| Preparation |
| Clinical standards for procedures and interventions. |
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| Cleans the earpieces, bell, and diaphragm of the stethoscope with an alcohol swab. |
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| Warms the stethoscope diaphragm with a hand. |
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| Places the stethoscope in the ears with earpieces facing forward and verifies function by gently tapping the diaphragm. |
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| Assessment |
| Positions the patient: Sits the patient upright leaning forward (if possible) or turns the patient to the side to auscultate the posterior chest. |
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| Places the stethoscope diaphragm directly on the skin or over a thin gown at the appropriate auscultation points. |
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| Instructs the patient to breathe through their mouth and coaches the patient to adjust the depth of breathing as needed. |
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| Auscultates the anterior or posterior of the chest in at least six positions, comparing sounds bilaterally. |
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| Correctly interprets breath sounds. |
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| Post-Intervention |
| Properly identifies normal, abnormal, and adventitious breath sounds and their possible causes. |
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| Compares with previous documented findings. Notifies provider of significant changes. |
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| Post-Intervention Management Steps |
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