Pulmonary Breath Sounds

Question 1

Describe the I:E ratio of tracheal breath sounds

Answer 1

1:1 with a pause in between inspiration and expiration

Question 2

How do tracheal breath sounds sound?

Answer 2

high pitched, tubular, hollow sound

bronchial sound similar

Question 3

When pathologies could cause tracheal breath sounds?

Answer 3

• pneumonia
• atelectasia
• fluid infiltration

same three from bronchial and vesicular too

Question 4

Describe the I:E ratio of bronchial breath sounds

Answer 4

1:1 or 1:1 1/4 with a pause in between inspiration & expiration

Question 5

Where are bronchial sounds best heard?

Answer 5

over the manubrium of the sternum

Question 6

Describe the I:E ratio of vesicular breath sounds

Answer 6

1:0 or 1:1/4 with no pause in between inspiration & expiration

Question 7

Where are vesicular sounds best heard?

Answer 7

everywhere on the thoracic wall

Question 8

How do vesicular breath sounds sound?

Answer 8

low pitched, soft rustling sound

Question 9

What is a “death rattle” and what causes it?

Answer 9

generally describes a patient with lungs that are filling up with fluid. The death rattle is produced by passing air through secretions. It can generally be heard eminating from a patient without the use of a stethoscope.

It often can be heard from the hall as you pass the patient’s room

Question 10

What is a stridor?

Answer 10

a high pitched wheezing that is caused by the obstruction of the trachea either by inflammation or an object. Just enough air passes the obstructed point to cause a high-pitched whining wheeze.

Question 11

What causes stridor most often in children?

Answer 11

Croupe, a viral infection that causes the tracheal membranes to swell to a near-closed position. The wheeze is produced much like a wind instrument produces sound through a wooden reed.