Assessing lung sounds: allows you to identify the rate, rhythm and quality of breathing, any obstructions of the airways, as well as rubs that indicate inflammation of the pleura. Don’t forget to start above the clavicle, since lung tissue extends that high. Also, when you listen to the back, have the patient lean forward slightly to expose the triangle of auscultation. Remember that for lung sounds (according to the Bates “Bible,”) we listen in six paired areas on the chest, and seven paired areas on the back. I remember this with the mnemonic “6AM – 7PM,” (6 anterior pairs, and 7 posterior pairs). Always listen to left and right sides at the same level before moving down to the next level – this way you get a side-by-side comparison, and any differences will be more apparent. - http://www.mypatraining.com/stethoscope-and-how-to-use-it