In which scenarios should bruits be listened for?

Bruits are abnormal sounds produced by turbulent blood flow, and they are primarily evaluated in specific clinical scenarios where there is an increased risk of vascular disease. Listening for bruits is particularly relevant in patients who are considered high-risk, such as those who smoke, have a history of stroke, or have other significant vascular disease risk factors. Identifying bruits in these patients can help in the early detection of conditions like carotid artery stenosis, which may lead to a stroke.

In contrast, listening for bruits in all patients indiscriminately, regardless of their health status, can lead to unnecessary anxiety and does not focus the evaluation on those most likely to benefit from this assessment. Similarly, assessing bruits solely in patients with asthma or only in elderly patients does not address the broader spectrum of high-risk groups that can present with vascular issues. Thus, option C correctly identifies the targeted approach to auscultation for bruits in a clinical setting, focusing on those individuals who demonstrate an elevated risk for vascular complications.