Respiratory Auscultation Practices by Expert ICU Nurses for Ventilated Patients: Selection of Techniques and Content, and the Associated Experiences

Abstract

Objective: To elucidate how expert intensive care unit (ICU) nurses select techniques and content for respiratory auscultation of ventilated patients, along with their experiences with this practice.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine expert ICU nurses. The interview results were categorized based on the techniques and content used in respiratory auscultation as well as their experiences.

Results: Four categories and 20 subcategories were identified for the respiratory auscultation practices of expert ICU nurses for ventilated patients, including the category “predicting and selectively auscultating respiratory sounds based on multifaceted information aimed at alleviating patient discomfort.” The experiences of the nurses were categorized into four categories and nine subcategories, including the category “understanding how the interpretation of respiratory sounds influences respiratory care and changes in patient condition.”

Conclusion: Expert ICU nurses predicted and confirmed respiratory sounds using multifaceted information to alleviate discomfort in patients receiving ventilation. They tailored auscultation sites and frequencies according to the patient’s condition and position and performing auscultation at appropriate times. These practices were honed through experience, emphasizing the importance of auscultation-based respiratory care in improving patient outcomes.