Posted: August 16th, 2017

The nurse auscultates the apex beat at which of the following anatomical locations?

The nurse auscultates the apex beat at which of the following anatomical locations?
a) Fifth intercostal space, midclavicular line
The left ventricle is responsible for the apex beat or the point of maximum impulse, which is normally palpable in the left midclavicular line of the chest wall at the fifth intercostal space.
b) Mid-sternum
The right ventricle lies anteriorly, just beneath the sternum.
c) 2” to the left of the lower end of the sternum
Use of inches to identify the location of the apex beat is inappropriate based upon variations in human anatomy.
d) 1” to the left of the xiphoid process
Auscultation below and to the left of the xiphoid process will detect gastrointestinal sounds, but not the apex beat of the heart.