Nurse Venice prepares to auscultate a client’s carotid arteries for bruits. For this procedure, the nurse should:
a. have the client inhale during auscultation
b. palpate the radial artery during auscultation
c. use the bell of the stethoscope
d. use the diaphragm of the stethoscope
Answer C.
With the client holding his breath, the nurse uses the bell of the stethoscope to auscultate the carotid arteries for bruits. Having the client inhale would interfere with sound detection. Palpating the radial artery wouldn’t yield significant information and could interfere with the nurse’s ability to listen without interruptions or distractions. The nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope to detect high-pitched sounds, such as breath and bowel sounds.
a. have the client inhale during auscultation
b. palpate the radial artery during auscultation
c. use the bell of the stethoscope
d. use the diaphragm of the stethoscope
Answer C.
With the client holding his breath, the nurse uses the bell of the stethoscope to auscultate the carotid arteries for bruits. Having the client inhale would interfere with sound detection. Palpating the radial artery wouldn’t yield significant information and could interfere with the nurse’s ability to listen without interruptions or distractions. The nurse uses the diaphragm of the stethoscope to detect high-pitched sounds, such as breath and bowel sounds.