Causes Of Abnormal Breath Sounds

Question 1

Conditions causing crackles (rales)

Answer 1

Fluid in airways
-pneumonia
-heart failure
-interstitial lung disease

Question 2

Conditions associated with wheezing

Answer 2

Can caused by narrowing of the airways or bronchospasm

-asthma
-COPD
-foreign bodies in airways

Question 3

Conditions associated with ronchi

Answer 3

-bronchitis
-pneumonia

Question 4

Conditions associated with stridor

Answer 4

-croup
-epiglottis
-foreign bodies

Question 5

Conditions associated with pleural rub

Answer 5

-pleurisy
-pneumonia

Question 6

Important considerations for abnormal breath sounds

Answer 6

-location (one or both lungs)
-timing (inhalation, exhalation or both)
-duration (duration and intensity of the sound)