HESI Health Assessment Practice Test 2026 – All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

A primary focus for the nurse when assessing heart sounds is to auscultate all four areas systematically. This thorough approach ensures that the nurse captures all heart sounds, both normal and abnormal, across different regions of the heart. The four key auscultation sites, usually referred to as the aortic, pulmonic, tricuspid, and mitral areas, provide essential information about heart function and can help identify any irregularities or changes in sound patterns.

Listening in a systematic manner allows for a comprehensive understanding of the heart's condition. Each area corresponds to specific anatomical structures and can reveal valuable insights into the performance and health of the heart. This method reduces the risk of missing important sounds that may indicate underlying issues, thereby providing a complete assessment.

In contrast, focusing only on the strongest pulse area would limit the assessment to just one region, potentially overlooking significant findings in other parts of the heart. Similarly, using the diaphragm for all sounds may not allow for the best sensitivity when trying to hear certain low-frequency sounds, which might be better detected with the bell of the stethoscope. Concentrating solely on abnormal sounds disregards the importance of recognizing normal heart sounds that can establish a baseline for evaluating changes over time. Thus, systematic auscultation across