Final answer:
A doctor listens to a patient's heart using a stethoscope in a procedure called auscultation, which can reveal potential heart disorders potentially leading to further testing such as an echocardiogram.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dr. Smith listens to Mr. Jones' heart with a stethoscope, which is an instrument used to listen to bodily sounds. This procedure is called auscultation. Auscultation is a proven, safe, and inexpensive diagnostic technique, which is invaluable in assessing the state of a patient's heart.
It allows healthcare professionals to detect abnormal heart sounds that may indicate valve or septal disorders. Further diagnostic tests, like an echocardiogram, might be ordered if a valvular disorder is detected or suspected.
An echocardiogram, often referred to as an "echo", is a sonogram of the heart and can provide detailed images of the heart's structure and function.