Lungs sounds assessment question.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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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