Procedure
- Place the earplugs well in your ears [Figure 12]
The earplugs should point forward slightly in the direction of the nose
(the auditory canal runs in this direction).
Figure 12
- Ensure that the diaphragm of the stethoscope is not too cold by placing it first on the back of the patient’s hand
- Place the diaphragm on the patient’s abdomen [Figure 13]
Figure 13
- Place the stethoscope gently but maintain good contact with the abdominal skin.
- Avoid touching the stethoscope tube with your hands, clothing etc. This can cause background noise [Figure 14]
Figure 14
- Listen systematically to all abdominal regions [Figure 15] and listen uninterrupted and for a sufficient amount of time (at least 30 seconds for a patient with abdominal pain).
Figure 15: auscultation points – intestines
- Listen above the major arteries [Figure 16].
Figure 16: Auscultation points – major arteries
1 = abdominal artery
2 = bifurcation
3 = iliac arteries, left and right
4 = femoral arteries, left and right
5 = renal arteries, left and right
- Listen at the site of any swellings
Focus points
- Assess peristaltic noises
– normal peristalsis
– absent peristalsis (listen for at least 30 seconds, as heart and
respiratory sounds can be heard)
– increased peristalsis
– abnormal peristaltic sounds (e.g. gurgling)
- Determine whether murmurs can be heard
– murmurs always indicate pathology