A patient is admitted with acute pericarditis. When auscultating heart sounds, the nurse should ask the patient to assume which position?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a patient has acute pericarditis, they may experience chest pain that is relieved by sitting up and leaning forward. This is because when the patient is in this position, the pressure on the pericardium is reduced, which can provide some relief from the pain. Therefore, to better hear heart sounds and to help alleviate the patient's discomfort, the nurse should ask the patient to assume the position of sitting leaning forward.

A Patient Is Admitted with Acute Pericarditis