Breath Sounds

Question 1

Vesicular

Answer 1

-Normal breath sounds
-Vesicular is just another name for normal breath sounds.
-They are low-pitch sounds
-Can be heard throughout.

Question 2

Crackles (Rales)

Answer 2

-Crackles, also known as rales
-short, explosive, lung sounds that are commonly heard in the small or middle airways of the lungs.
- associated with fluid or secretions in the lungs.
-Crackles can occur on both inspiration and expiration but are more common during the inspiratory phase.

Question 3

Fine crackles

Answer 3

-Fine crackles indicate that fluid is in the smaller airways.
-They have a higher frequency and a shorter duration.
-often heard in patients with CHF and pulmonary edema
-treated with diuretic medications such as Lasix.
-Heard on one side pneumonia

Question 4

Coarse crackles

Answer 4

-Coarse crackles are lower in pitch and longer in duration
-They are caused by secretions in the large airways.
-Often referred to as Rhonchi.
-Recommend suctioning or bronchial hygiene therapy

Question 5

Wheezes

Answer 5

-Wheezes are high-pitched abnormal breath sounds that are heard as air flows through a narrowed airway.
-They sound kind of like a whistle and are most audible during the expiratory phase of breathing.
-Bilateral wheezing is an indication of bronchoconstriction
-Treated with a short-acting bronchodilator like albuterol.
- Heard on one side Pneumonia

Question 6

Rhonchi

Answer 6

-Rhonchi is an abnormal breath sound heard in larger airways.
- Excess amounts of mucus or secretions.
-Low-pitched and are audible during the expiratory phase.
-Recommend suctioning or bronchial hygiene therapy.

Question 7

Stridor

Answer 7

-Stridor is a high-pitched lung sound
-Heard during the inspiratory phase of breathing.
-Croup, Epiglottitis, Post-extubation laryngeal edema, Foreign body aspiration.
-Treated with cool mist and racemic epinephrine.
-If emergency intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Question 8

Diminished

Answer 8

-Soft, distant lung sounds with a lower volume and intensity.
-Present when there is decreased air movement in the lungs
-COPD or an acute asthma attack
-Bronchodilator Indicated.
-Often wheezes heard if treatment is working.
-Also, with Obesity, Increased muscle mass, increased chest wall thickness, Hyperinflation.

Question 9

Pleural Friction Rub

Answer 9

-A loud grating sound when inflamed pleura rub together due to decreased levels of fluid in the pleural space.
-Patients with pleurisy.

Question 10

Adventitious

Answer 10

Any abnormal breath sound.