Lung sounds / Auscultation

Question 1

What is Wheezing?

Answer 1

Sounds that are heard continuously through inspiration & expiration
Caused by air moving through narrow pathways due to constriction, partial obstruction or swelling.

Question 2

Types of Wheezing?

Answer 2

Sibiliant rhonchi: high pitched wheeze, squeaky. Heard continuously through inspiration and expiration - Acute Asthma Attack

Sonorous rhonchi: low pitched wheeze, snoring or moaning quality. Relates to larger airways with mucous, commonly heard in pops with bronchitis. Sounds may clear with coughing up phlegm.

Question 3

Types of crackles

Answer 3

Fine: towards the end of inspiration, hair strands, less viscous material
Course: heard earlier in inspiration and throughout expiration, velcro, viscous sputum.

Question 3

What are crackles

Answer 3

Caused by fluid/viscous material in small airways or lung collapse (atelectasis)
Heard on inspiration or expiration
Popping sounds are heard when air is passing through an airway that is narrowed as a result of increased fluid, mucous or pus. Associated with infection.

Question 4

What is stridor?

Answer 4

High pitched harsh sound heard during inspiration.
Loudest over trachea
Caused by the obstruction of the upper airway.
Sign of respiratory distress & requires immediate attention.

Question 5

Lung sounds associated with patient post cardiac/abdominal surgery & why

Answer 5

decreased/ diminished lung sounds due to pain

Question 6

Lung sounds associated with Pneumonia

Answer 6

course crackles due to viscous fluid in the airways

Question 7

Lung sounds associated with restrictive lung conditions (SCI) & why

Answer 7

diminished breath sounds due to muscle weakness and inability to fully inflate the lungs

Question 8

Lung sounds associated with Pneumothorax and why

Answer 8

diminished or absent breath sounds due to air not entering the pleural space

Question 9

Lung sounds associated with Asthma and why

Answer 9

Sibilant Rhonchi (Wheezing) - due to narrowed airway causing turbulant flow

Question 10

Lung sounds associated with Bariatric patients and why

Answer 10

diminished breath sounds due to increased compression on the chest wall, reducing lung expansion

Question 11

Lung sounds associated with Atelectasis & why

Answer 11

Fine crackles due to alveoli collapse

Question 12

Lung sounds associated with Pleural effusion and why

Answer 12

diminished breath sounds due to fluid in the pleural space reducing sound transmission. (dense)