JBL EMT Practice Exam

When assessing a patient's thoracic cavity, the most appropriate technique is:

1. Inspection and auscultation

2. Auscultation and percussion

3. Inspection and palpation

4. Palpation and percussion

The correct answer is: Inspection and auscultation

When assessing a patient's thoracic cavity, the most appropriate technique is inspection and auscultation. This approach allows the healthcare provider to observe any visible abnormalities, such as asymmetry, lesions, or respiratory effort, while also listening to the sounds produced by the lungs and airways. Inspection helps in detecting any obvious signs on the surface of the chest, while auscultation helps in evaluating the respiratory sounds and detecting any abnormal sounds like crackles, wheezes, or decreased breath sounds, which can provide crucial information about the patient's lung health. Therefore, the combination of inspection and auscultation is key to a comprehensive assessment of the thoracic cavity.