Upgrade to remove ads
Only $35.99/year

Adventitious Breath Sounds: Wheezes, Crackles, Rhonchi, Friction Rub

Terms in this set (6)

Fine Crackles (Rales)
Occurrence: End inspiration, do not clear with
cough.
Quality: High-pitched, short, crackling.

Causes: Collapsed or fluid-filled alveoli open.
Coarse Crackles (Rales)
Occurrence: End inspiration, do not clear with
cough.
Quality: Loud, moist, low-pitched, bubbling.

Causes: Collapsed or fluid-filled alveoli open.
Wheezes (sibilant wheezes)
Occurrence: Expiration/inspiration when severe.

Quality: High-pitched, continuous.

Causes: Blocked airflow as in asthma, infection,
foreign body obstruction.
Rhonchi (sonorous wheezes)
Occurrence: Expiration/inspiration
change/disappear with cough.

Quality: Low-pitched, continuous, snoring, rattling.

Causes: Fluid-blocked airways.
Stridor
Occurrence: Inspiration.

Quality: Loud, high-pitched crowing heard without
stethoscope.

Causes: Obstructed upper airway.
Friction Rub
Occurrence: Inhalation/exhalation.

Quality: Low-pitched grating, rubbing.

Causes: Pleural inflammation.
Related questions
QUESTION
What are proprioreceptors and where are they located?**
7 answers
QUESTION
What are some types of pneumonia?
15 answers
QUESTION
What are the types of wheezes?
15 answers
QUESTION
What is the most commonly prescribed SABA?
8 answers