To assess vesicular breath sounds, where should the nurse place the stethoscope?

Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched sounds typically heard over healthy lung tissue. They are most prominent in the peripheral lung fields because this is where the lung tissue is well-aerated and allows for the gentle airflow that produces these sounds.

When assessing breath sounds, placing the stethoscope over the peripheral lung fields enables the nurse to accurately capture the characteristics of vesicular sounds, which reflect the normal functioning of the alveoli as air moves in and out during respiration. This area includes the lung bases and the areas away from the major airways, which are essential for evaluating lung health.

In contrast, areas like the trachea or bronchi produce different types of breath sounds. For example, placing the stethoscope over the trachea would predominantly amplify bronchiovesicular or even tracheal breath sounds, which are harsher and higher-pitched. Similarly, placing the stethoscope over the clavicles does not provide access to the peripheral lungs where vesicular sounds are best heard, making it an ineffective option for this particular assessment.