The practical nurse (PN) is auscultating a client’s lung sounds. Which description should the PN use to document this sound? (Please listen to the audio clip provided).
Audio: [Wheezing sound]
A.
Wheeze.
B.
Rhonchi.
C.
Stridor.
D.
Fine crackles.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Wheeze.
Explanation:
Wheezing is a high-pitched, musical sound typically heard during expiration, though it can also be present during inspiration. It is caused by the narrowing or obstruction of the airways, often due to inflammation, bronchospasm, or mucus. The sound occurs as air moves through these narrowed passages in the lower respiratory tract. Wheezing is commonly associated with conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergic reactions.
Here’s a breakdown of the other options and why they are incorrect:
- Rhonchi (B): Rhonchi are low-pitched, coarse, gurgling sounds that occur due to secretions or obstructions in the larger airways, like the bronchi. They tend to be more prominent during expiration but can occur during both inspiration and expiration. Rhonchi sounds resemble snoring and may clear with coughing or suctioning.
- Stridor (C): Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh sound heard primarily during inspiration. It is often associated with upper airway obstructions, such as in cases of laryngeal or tracheal blockages, croup, or epiglottitis. It is a more emergent sound compared to wheezing and indicates that there is significant obstruction in the upper airway.
- Fine crackles (D): Fine crackles are brief, discontinuous popping or crackling sounds heard primarily during inspiration. They are typically caused by the opening of small airways or alveoli that had been collapsed, often due to conditions like pulmonary edema, interstitial lung disease, or pneumonia.
In this case, the sound described is most accurately documented as a wheeze, indicating some degree of narrowing or obstruction within the smaller airways of the lungs, a key feature of conditions like asthma or bronchitis.