When the heart is examined, both the diaphragm and bell stethoscope pieces are used for auscultation. In general, the diaphragm is best for hearing high-pitched sounds, and the bell is most useful for hearing low-pitched sounds. a. Trueb. False

When the heart is examined, both the diaphragm and bell stethoscope pieces are used for auscultation. In general, the diaphragm is best for hearing high-pitched sounds, and the bell is most useful for hearing low-pitched sounds is a true statement.

Explanation:

A stethoscope is an auscultatory tool essentially is structured with two ear pieces, a rubber tubing, and a head.

The head of the stethoscope can either be of a plastic disc-like diaphragm or a hollow cup-shaped bell. Both diaphragm and bell heads are present in dual-headed stethoscopes.

The diaphragm head is specially designed to listen to high frequency heart sounds by attenuating or filtering the low pitched sounds.

As the disc is pressed, high pitched sounds like when opening or closure of arteries leads to increased vibrations and pressure fluctuations which vibrate the diaphragm and the sound waves produced travels to the listener’s ears.

The bell is designed to detect low frequency heart sounds. These sounds vibrate only the skin which is transferred to the bell.