The stethoscope is one of the most popular pieces of medical
equipment used by doctors all over the world. You will often see it hanging
around their neck, but what do doctors listen for when they use stethoscopes?
Lub-dubs and Whooshes
Listening to the lungs is different to listening to the
heart. A normal heart sound is often described as lub-dub, while whooshes are the
sound that heart murmurs make. Doctors have to listen very carefully though
because these sounds are often so soft that they can barely be heard. A
stethoscope can also be used to listen to your pulse in your arm during a BP
measurement.
Wheezes and Crackles
When a doctor listens to the lungs, they will keep their
ears perked for any signs of wheezes and crackles. Wheezes are often heard from
patients whose airways are constricted and crackles occur when there is fluid
in their lungs. These sounds are bad signs and should not be present in any
normal set of lungs.
Gurgles
Sometimes when a client has bowel problems, the doctor will
place the stethoscope on their abdomen and listen for any gurgling sounds.
These sounds are normal as it is just food and gas moving through your body.
Doctors use a stethoscope to find out important information
about a patient’s body functions; it is painless and valuable piece of medical
equipment.
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