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A nurse is about to perform an assessment of a patient's lungs. Which of the following is the most appropriate action before auscultation?

  • A. Ask the patient to take deep breaths
  • B. Have the patient sit upright
  • C. Examine for symmetry
  • D. Ask the patient to lie flat and breathe normally
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ask the patient to lie flat and breathe normally. This position allows for optimal lung expansion, making it easier to hear breath sounds accurately. Asking the patient to lie flat also provides a consistent baseline for comparison across different patients.
A: Asking the patient to take deep breaths before auscultation may alter their normal breathing pattern and make it difficult to assess baseline lung sounds accurately.
B: Having the patient sit upright can be helpful for certain assessments, but lying flat is preferred for auscultating lung sounds.
C: Examining for symmetry is important but not directly related to the optimal position for auscultation.