What Should Nurses Listen for During Auscultation?
Auscultation involves using a stethoscope to listen for bruits, which are abnormal sounds indicating turbulent blood flow, often due to narrowing or blockage in the arteries. Common areas to auscultate include the carotid arteries, abdominal aorta, and femoral arteries. The presence of a bruit may warrant further investigation with imaging studies.
