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Lung Sounds

This document describes and compares different abnormal lung sounds, including wheezes, crackles, stridor, rhonchi, and pleural friction rub. Wheezing is a high-pitched musical sound caused by narrow airways in conditions like asthma and COPD. Crackles are bubbling or crackling sounds caused by fluid in the lungs from conditions like pulmonary edema and pneumonia. Stridor is a harsh inspiratory whistle caused by upper airway obstruction. Rhonchi are low-pitched rattling sounds caused by mucus in the bronchi. A pleural friction rub is a low-pitched rubbing sound caused by pleural inflammation as the lungs rub together, often seen with worsening pneumonia.

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Quinn Madalang
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300 views6 pages

Lung Sounds

This document describes and compares different abnormal lung sounds, including wheezes, crackles, stridor, rhonchi, and pleural friction rub. Wheezing is a high-pitched musical sound caused by narrow airways in conditions like asthma and COPD. Crackles are bubbling or crackling sounds caused by fluid in the lungs from conditions like pulmonary edema and pneumonia. Stridor is a harsh inspiratory whistle caused by upper airway obstruction. Rhonchi are low-pitched rattling sounds caused by mucus in the bronchi. A pleural friction rub is a low-pitched rubbing sound caused by pleural inflammation as the lungs rub together, often seen with worsening pneumonia.

Uploaded by

Quinn Madalang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Wheezes (Whistle)
  • Crackles (Rales)
  • Stridor
  • Rhonchi (Rumble)
  • Pleural Friction Rub

Abnormal

Lung Sounds

rnursingnotes
Wheezes (Whistle)
Description: High Pitched ''Musical Sound''

Location: Entire lung (heard mainly on


exhalation)

Narrow airways ''bronchoconstriction''


Patho:
(inflamed lung tissue)

Disease: Asthma attacks & COPD exacerbation

Treatment: Asthma Attack

AIM
A Albuterol

I Ipratropium

M Methylprednisolone
(rales)
Crackles''Crazy Fluid''
Description: Liquidly bubbling or crackling

Fine Crackles - High Pitched (rubbing hair


between fingers)
Coarse Crackles - Low Pitched (velcro pulled
apart)

Location: Lower lobes (Base of lung, basilary)

Alveoli ''pop''open - inflammation &


Patho: congestion

Disease: Pulmonary edema ''Fluid in lungs'' with CHF or


Pneumonia (Infection)

Diuretics (furosemide) Infection


Treatment:
''Antiobiotics""
''Serious Squeak!''
Stridor Med emergency Airway
Obstruction!

Description: High-pitched harsh inspiratory


whistle

Location: Throat region (during inhalation)

Blockage in the larynx (voice box) or


Patho:
trachea (windpipe)

Disease: Choking obstruction, Epiglottitis, Croup


(Child)

Treatment: Endotracheal Intubation, Surgery


Rhonchi ''Rumble''
Description: Low pitched rattling or rumbling
(like snoring)

Location: Bronchi (not alveoli)

Patho: Mucous secretions or obstruction

Disease: Bronchitis, COPD, Pneumonia (infection),


Cystic Fibrosis (serious mucous)
Treatment: Chest percussion (vibration vest)
fluids to loosen & thin mucus
Pleural ''Pebbles Friction''
Friction Rub
Low pitched rattling - Dry rubbing
Description:
(like 2 rocks grinding)

Location: Front side of lung (during inhalation &


exhalation)
Patho: Infection causing inflammation of pleura
layer of the lungs rubbing together

Disease: Worsening pneumonia (infection)

Treatment: TCDB, Incentive Spirometer,


Antibiotics

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