Safe and Effective Care Environment NCLEX RN Questions Related

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The student observes a patient with no breathing problems. Which action by the student indicates a need to review respiratory assessment skills?

  • A. The student starts at the apices of the lungs and moves to the bases.
  • B. The student compares breath sounds from side to side, avoiding bony areas.
  • C. The student places the stethoscope over the posterior chest and listens during expiration.
  • D. The student instructs the patient to breathe slowly and a little more deeply than normal through the mouth.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Listening only during inspiration instead of both inspiration and expiration indicates a need for a review of respiratory assessment skills. During chest auscultation, it is essential to listen to at least one cycle of inspiration and expiration at each placement of the stethoscope. Instructing the patient to breathe slowly and a little deeper than normal through the mouth is a correct practice during auscultation. The correct sequence for lung auscultation is from the apices to the bases, comparing breath sounds bilaterally, avoiding bony areas. It is crucial to place the stethoscope over lung tissue rather than bony prominences to accurately assess lung sounds.