Using the diaphragm of the stethoscope, listen to the movement of air through the airways during inspiration and expiration. As you move across the different lung fields, the sounds produced by airflo...Using the diaphragm of the stethoscope, listen to the movement of air through the airways during inspiration and expiration. As you move across the different lung fields, the sounds produced by airflow vary depending on the area you are auscultating because the size of the airways change. The best position to listen to lung sounds is with the patient sitting upright; however, if the patient is acutely ill or unable to sit upright, turn them side to side in a lying position.
