Health Promotion and Maintenance Q 115
Which of the following sounds is distinctly heard on auscultation over the abdominal region of an abdominal aortic aneurysm client?
A. Bruit
B. Crackles
C. Dullness
D. Friction rubs
Correct Answer: A. Bruit
A bruit, a vascular sound resembling a heart murmur, suggests partial arterial occlusion. In addition to abdominal palpation, auscultation for abdominal or femoral bruits may be useful for clinical detection of AAA. Auscultation is performed along the course of the aortic and femoral arteries. However, absence of a bruit does not exclude an aneurysm.
Option B: Crackles are indicative of fluid in the lungs. Crackles occur if the small air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid and there’s any air movement in the sacs, such as when breathing. The air sacs fill with fluid when a person has pneumonia or heart failure.
Option C: Dullness is heard over solid organs, such as the liver. A dull or thud-like sound is normally heard over dense areas such as the heart or liver. Dullness replaces resonance when fluid or solid tissue replaces air-containing lung tissues, such as occurs with pneumonia, pleural effusions, or tumors
Option D: Friction rubs indicate inflammation of the peritoneal surface. A pericardial friction rub is pathognomonic for acute pericarditis; the rub has a scratching, grating sound similar to leather rubbing against leather. Serial examinations may be necessary for detection, as a friction rub may be transient from one hour to the next and is present in approximately 50% of cases.