Identify normal heart sounds Identify extra sounds such as murmurs and pericardial rubs Proceed in a systematic way, moving the stethoscope a couple of centimetres up and down the chest wall using both the bell and the diaphragm Auscultation should be performed in four locations on the anterior chest wall: 5th ICS MCL 3rd - 4th ICS LSB 2nd ICS LSB 2nd ICS RSB Start by auscultating at the cardiac apex listening for the first heart sound Each time you place your scope down you will listen to S1 and S2 Refer to the 'Making Sense of Heart Sounds' Link for a focused account of where to listen and what you will hear when auscultating heart sounds