Testavia Free Nursing Practice Question - QA
A. Use a stethoscope to listen to and compare breath sounds anteriorly and posteriorly.
Use a stethoscope to listen to and compare breath sounds anteriorly and posteriorly. This action is used to assess breath sounds, not tactile fremitus.
B. Looking at the client from the side, observe the size and shape of the chest wall.
Looking at the client from the side, observe the size and shape of the chest wall. This action helps in assessing the general appearance and shape of the chest but does not assess tactile fremitus.
C. Place the palm of the hand on the chest wall to feel vibrations while the client speaks.
Place the palm of the hand on the chest wall to feel vibrations while the client speaks. This is the correct technique to assess tactile fremitus. Increased fremitus can indicate consolidation, as in pneumonia.
D. Use the fingertips to compress tissue over the lungs for evidence of a crackling sensation.
Use the fingertips to compress tissue over the lungs for evidence of a crackling sensation. This action is associated with palpating for crepitus, not assessing tactile fremitus.
This question is an excerpt from Testavia's nursing testbank - HESI RN HEALTH ASSESSMENT. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Use a stethoscope to listen to and compare breath sounds anteriorly and posteriorly. This action is used to assess breath sounds, not tactile fremitus.
B. Looking at the client from the side, observe the size and shape of the chest wall. This action helps in assessing the general appearance and shape of the chest but does not assess tactile fremitus.
C. Place the palm of the hand on the chest wall to feel vibrations while the client speaks. This is the correct technique to assess tactile fremitus. Increased fremitus can indicate consolidation, as in pneumonia.
D. Use the fingertips to compress tissue over the lungs for evidence of a crackling sensation. This action is associated with palpating for crepitus, not assessing tactile fremitus.