While auscultating heart sounds on a 7-year-old child for a routine physical examination, the nurse hears an S₃, a soft murmur at the left midsternal border, and a venous hum when the child is standing. What would be a correct interpretation of these findings?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

These are all commonly found in children. A physiologic S₃, which occurs early in diastole just after S₂, is common in children. A venous hum, caused by turbulence of blood flow in the jugular venous system, is common in healthy children and has no pathologic significance. Heart murmurs that are innocent (or functional) in origin are very common through childhood.

While Auscultating Heart Sounds on a 7-Year-Old Child for a Routine