The stethoscope is used to auscultate the lungs, starting with a general membrane type chest piece stethoscope. The stethoscope is placed in the rib cage of the chest wall with proper pressure and close to the chest wall. The patient should be asked to breathe with the stethoscope, to relax and breathe evenly, and to do deep inhalation, coughing or breath holding if necessary. The order of auscultation is from the tip of the lung, from top to bottom, from the anterior to the lateral chest, and finally the back. Auscultation requires symmetrical parts of both lungs to be compared against each other, first the left lung and then the right lung, at the same level, for at least 1-2 respiratory cycles in each place. During auscultation, the patient should be allowed to sit on a stool or lie flat on the bed to relax and breathe naturally, and the chest needs to be fully exposed to avoid murmurs from clothing rubbing against the stethoscope.