Which instrument is used to listen to heart and lung sounds?

• A. Stethoscope
• B. Otoscope
• C. Sphygmomanometer
• D. Thermometer

Answer: (A)

Listening to heart and lung sounds is done with a stethoscope. This instrument brings internal body sounds to the examiner by placing a chest piece against the skin, using tubing to transmit the sound to the ears. It lets you hear the heartbeat, its rate and rhythm, and breath sounds, helping identify normal function as well as abnormalities like murmurs, wheezes, or crackles. The other tools have different roles: an otoscope is for examining the ear, a sphygmomanometer measures blood pressure, and a thermometer checks body temperature. So the stethoscope is the tool used for auscultation of heart and lung sounds.