The right 2nd interspace is best for listening to which valve?

The right 2nd interspace is best for listening to which valve?

• A. Pulmonary valve
• B. Aortic valve
• C. Mitral valve
• D. Tricuspid valve

Answer: (B)

Listening to heart valves aligns with where each valve sits against the chest wall. The aortic valve sits just behind the sternum at the right second intercostal space, so placing the stethoscope there best captures its normal closing sounds and any related murmurs. The pulmonic valve is best heard at the left second intercostal space, the mitral valve at the apex (left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line), and the tricuspid valve along the left lower sternal border around the fourth to fifth interspaces. So, the right second interspace is the spot for auscultating the aortic valve.

Listening to heart valves aligns with where each valve sits against the chest wall. The aortic valve sits just behind the sternum at the right second intercostal space, so placing the stethoscope there best captures its normal closing sounds and any related murmurs. The pulmonic valve is best heard at the left second intercostal space, the mitral valve at the apex (left fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line), and the tricuspid valve along the left lower sternal border around the fourth to fifth interspaces. So, the right second interspace is the spot for auscultating the aortic valve.