What term refers to airway assessment by listening with a stethoscope?

Auscultation is the term that specifically refers to the act of listening to internal bodily sounds, particularly in the context of assessing the airway using a stethoscope. This practice is crucial for evaluating respiratory sounds, including wheezes, crackles, or normal breath sounds, which can indicate various conditions affecting the airways and lungs.

During auscultation, a healthcare professional places a stethoscope on the patient's chest or back to listen to the sounds produced by the lungs as air moves in and out. This technique is instrumental in diagnosing respiratory issues and determining the effectiveness of treatments.

Observation, while important in assessing a patient, primarily involves visual assessments and does not include the auditory examination that auscultation entails. Perfusion refers to the flow of blood through the body’s tissues, which is unrelated to airway assessment, while palpation involves the examination of the body using touch to assess structures or conditions, such as feeling for the position of organs or tissues.