MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -The optimal position for chest auscultation is sitting in a chair, or on the side of the bed. However, the patient’s clinical condition and comfort needs to be considered during the examination and some patients may only tolerate lying at a 45° angle.

Detailed explanation-2: -They are heard best over the 1st and 2nd intercostal space beside the sternum on the anterior side of the chest and between the shoulder blades on the posterior chest. These sounds are produced when air moves through the large airways of the lungs.

Detailed explanation-3: -Using the diaphragm of the stethoscope, start auscultation anteriorly at the apices, and move downward till no breath sound is appreciated. Next, listen to the back, starting at the apices and moving downward. At least one complete respiratory cycle should be heard at each site.

Detailed explanation-4: -In a normal air-filled lung, vesicular sounds are heard over most of the lung fields, bronchovesicular sounds are heard between the 1st and 2nd interspaces on the anterior chest, bronchial sounds are heard over the body of the sternum, and tracheal sounds are heard over the trachea.