Cardiac Vascular Nursing Certification Practice Exam 2025 - Free Cardiac Vascular Nursing Practice Questions and Study Guide

Aortic regurgitation is characterized by a backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle during diastole, which generates a specific type of murmur. This murmur is typically best heard at the left sternal border, particularly at the third or fourth intercostal spaces. The location correlates with the anatomical position of the aorta and the left ventricle.

The left sternal border is advantageous for auscultation because it allows the clinician to better capture the sound produced by the turbulent flow in the left ventricle as blood flows back from the aorta. The murmur itself is often described as a high-pitched, blowing sound that is best appreciated with the patient sitting up and leaning forward.

Other locations, such as the right sternal border, apex, or epigastric region, do not align with the typical path of the regurgitant flow or the anatomical changes associated with aortic regurgitation. Therefore, while murmurs may indeed be heard elsewhere, the most characteristic location to detect the specific murmur associated with aortic regurgitation is at the left sternal border.