Auscultation

Question 1

Decreased air entry (decreased breath sounds) can be caused by..

How does this compare to decreased transmission of sound?

Answer 1

Atelectasis, pneumothorax and emphysema etc.

Whereas decreased transmission of sound can be caused by pleural effusion, pleural thickening, pneumothorax

Question 2

What does it mean if late crackles can be heard?

Answer 2

Caused by re-opening of closed down peripheral airways and alveoli, e.g. atelectasis/fibrosis

Question 3

Crackles are caused by..

Answer 3

Snapping open of previously closed airways during inspiration

Question 4

Wheezes are always due to

Answer 4

Airway narrowing (can be caused by sputum, bronchoconstriction, foreign bodies etc)

Question 5

Bronchial breath sounds are normal to be heard over the trachea and can be described as

Answer 5

loud and harsh

Question 6

Bronchial breath sounds heard elsewhere can suggest

Answer 6

Underlying pathology where the lung has increased in density, such as consolidation

Question 7

Pleural rub is a

Answer 7

creaking sound on late inspiration and early expiration, resembles sounds of boots crunching on fresh snow

Question 8

Pleural rub sounds can be caused by

Answer 8

inflammation of pleural layers which then rub on each other, usually accompanied by pleuritic pain (sharp and stabbing feeling in a part of the chest, usually made worse when you breathe in or cough)