What approach should the nurse take to assess the lung fields of a patient who is in a recumbent position?
A) Inform that physician that the patient is in a recumbent position and anticipate an order for a portable chest x-ray.
B) Turn the patient to assess all lung fields so that dependent areas can be assessed for breath sounds.
C) Avoid turning the patient, and assess the accessible breath sounds from the anterior chest wall.
D) Obtain a pulse oximetry reading and if the reading is low, reposition the patient and auscultate breath sounds.
Ans: B
Feedback: Assessment of the anterior and posterior lung fields is part of the nurse's routine evaluation. If the patient is recumbent, it is essential to turn the patient to assess all lung fields so that dependent areas can be assessed for breath sounds, including the presence of normal breath sounds and adventitious sounds. Failure to examine the dependent areas of the lungs can result in missing significant findings.
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