Which action by the nurse is likely to be helpful in blocking out extraneous noises while auscultating with a stethoscope?

Question

a. Place the stethoscope on the patient's clothing to avoid contact with the skin which may cause chilling and shivering.
b. Remove dangling necklaces or bracelets that can move during the exam and cause noises that can interfere with the assessment.
c. Shave the area to be auscultated if there is a large quantity of hair.
d. Keep your eyes open to help you isolate the sound.

Answer 1

B
The nurse should take measures to optimize the quality of auscultation findings. Any extra room noise can produce a "roaring" in your stethoscope, so the room must be quiet. Keep the exam room warm. If the person starts shivering, the involuntary muscle contractions could drown out other sounds. Warm the endpiece of the stethoscope in your hands before placing it on the patient. The stethoscope must be placed directly on the skin because clothes obscure or alter sounds. If the patient has a large quantity of hair in the area to be auscultated, it may be necessary to wet the hair to prevent it from interfering with the sound. It may be helpful to close your eyes to help isolate the sound. The nurse should remove dangling necklaces or bracelets, as they might move during the exam and cause noises that can interfere with the assessment.