Breathing Sounds

Question 1

Stridor

Answer 1

A shrill, harsh sound, heard more clearly during inspiration but that can occur during expiration. This sound may occur when there is airway blockage, such as in children with croup and patients with laryngeal obstruction.

Question 2

Crackles

Answer 2

Crackling sounds resembling crushing tissue paper, caused by fluid accumulation in the airways. Crackles can be further defined as coarse or fine. Crackles can be heard with pulmonary edema, asthma, early congestive heart failure, and some types of pneumonia.

Question 3

Rhonchi

Answer 3

Rattling, whistling, low-pitched sounds made in the throat. Rhonchi can be heard in patients with pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Question 4

Wheezes

Answer 4

Sounds similar to rhonchi but more high pitched, made when airways become obstructed or severely narrowed, as in asthma or COPD.

Question 5

Cheyne-Stokes

Answer 5

Irregular breathing that may be slow and shallow at first, then faster and deeper, and that may stop for a few seconds before beginning the pattern again. This type of breathing may be seen in certain patients with traumatic brain injury, strokes, and brain tumors.