RN Exam Practice
Reduction of Risk PotentialQuestion 306 of 2368

A client with shortness of breath tires easily during the lung assessment. Which approach should the nurse use for auscultation?

  1. Begin at the apices and stop when the client tires
  2. Listen only to the posterior chest to save time
  3. Listen over the client's hospital gown to avoid exposing the chest
  4. Begin at the lung bases and move upward as the client tolerates
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Correct answer: Begin at the lung bases and move upward as the client tolerates

Starting at the bases makes sure the vulnerable lower lobes are assessed before the client becomes fatigued.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Respiratory Assessment: Auscultation. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Reduction of Risk Potential"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026