#LUNG SOUNDS AND WHAT THEY MEAN FULL#

Lateral recumbency allows the heart to fall to the dependent side, altering its position and that of the heart sounds. However, sitting superimposes the forelimbs over the point of maximal intensity (PMI) of cranially situated sounds, and may alter the heart position due to diaphragmatic pressure. Purring in cats may be rectified by gently blowing air in their face, running a tap or dabbing surgical spirit on the patient's nose.ĭogs and cats are best auscultated standing (or sitting), rabbits sitting.

Panting may necessitate holding the patient's mouth closed. Friction artefact between the stethoscope 'head' and the patient's hair coat mimics lung sounds. It is worth asking for quiet before auscultation and for clients to avoid stroking or touching their pet. Artefacts are mainly due to external noise. Ideally a quiet room is required to minimise noise intrusion. The bell is employed to maximise low-frequency noise such as local murmurs or gallop sounds.

The diaphragm, designed to detect higher frequency noise, is used for the majority of the examination. Tube length should be minimised to reduce signal loss, 36-50 cm is generally recommended, but it can be cut if overlong. Usually the ear pieces are angled forwards. The ear tips should be comfortable and fit tightly enough to exclude extraneous noise. They have the drawback that pathological muffling of heart and lung sounds may be disguised by amplification.Ī stethoscope should be the user's 'property' and used for every patient so the characteristics of the instrument are known. These allow less easily audible sounds to be amplified and detected. Electronic stethoscopes amplify the audible signal and allow recording of the phonocardiogram to computer.

Some may be 'dual', having a separate bell and diaphragm or combined in one face, with the listening surface varied by the pressure applied.

#LUNG SOUNDS AND WHAT THEY MEAN FULL#

These vary from infant, through paediatric, to full size. The author uses single tube stethoscopes in a variety of bell/diaphragm sizes depending on patient size. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, bronchoscopy, radiography and clinical pathology do not negate the importance of information obtained from effective examination and auscultation, at relatively minimal cost.Ī good stethoscope is mandatory for accurate auscultation, as is a good sense of hearing! Different types and models of stethoscope are available, traditional and electronic. Recent advances in cardiopulmonary diagnostics make it easy to overlook the importance of physical examination. Books & VINcyclopedia of Diseases (Formerly Associate).VINcyclopedia of Diseases (Formerly Associate).

Lung sounds and what they mean