Lungs sounds assessment question.

Specialties Geriatric

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I work in LTC. One of my co-worker document faint wheezes. When I document lung sounds I document only wheezy lungs. I do not know what faint wheezes mean, sorry I feel so ignorant. Also, Please give me some examples how you document lung sounds. Thanks in advance.

Faint wheezes to me would mean that they were hard to hear but there.

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I describe lung sounds and where they're located, e.g. "Scattered coorifice crackles heard in LML/diminished breath sounds bilateral bases/lungs clear throughout upper fields A & P (anteriorly/posteriorly)" etc.

As you become more familiar with adventitious lung sounds, you'll be able to document them more accurately. I'd recommend that you purchase (or borrow) a CD/DVD that teaches you how to listen and interpret the different types of breath sounds, as lung assessment skills are a must-have in LTC where you have so many patients with CHF, COPD and other conditions that affect respiration.

Specializes in Med-Surg, LTC.

Ditto what both previous posters said. I am curious where one would get a cd of lung sounds? I am a new DON and looking to improve the skill set of some of my staff.

Ditto what both previous posters said. I am curious where one would get a cd of lung sounds? I am a new DON and looking to improve the skill set of some of my staff.

Free online (and more than just lung sounds): Easy Auscultation - Heart Sounds and Lung Sounds

Littmann aslo has them free on their website: Listen to Heart Sounds - Lung Sounds Audio - Breath Sounds : 3M Littmann Stethoscopes: 3M US

Littmann also sells their heart & lung educational CDs:

Lung: 3M™ Littmann® Educational CD, Learning Lung Sounds, 5 each/case, 5110

Heart: 3M™ Littmann® Educational CD, An Introduction to Heart Sounds, 5 each/case, 5111

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