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Breath sounds are the noises produced by the structures of the lungs during breathing.
See also: Wheezing
Alternative NamesLung sounds; Breathing sounds
ConsiderationsThe lung sounds are best heard with a stethoscope. This is called auscultation.
Normal lung sounds occur in all parts of the chest area, including above the collarbones and at the bottom of the rib cage. Using a stethoscope, the doctor may hear normal breath sounds, decreased or absent breath sounds, and abnormal breath sounds.
Absent or decreased sounds can mean:
- Air or fluid in or around the lungs (pneumonia, heart failure, pleural effusion)
- Increased thickness of the chest wall
- Over-inflation of a part of the lungs (emphysema can cause this)
- Reduced airflow to part of the lungs
There are several types of abnormal breath sounds. The 4 most common are:
- Rales
- Rhonchi
- Stridor
- Wheezing
Rales are small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung. They are believed to occur when air opens closed air spaces. Rales can be further described as moist, dry, fine, and coarse.
Rhonchi are sounds that resemble snoring. They occur when air is blocked or becomes rough through the large airways.
Wheezes are high-pitched sounds produced by narrowed airways. They can be heard when a person breathes out (exhales). Wheezing and other abnormal sounds can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope.
Stridor is a wheeze-like sound heard when a person breathes. Usually it is due to a blockage of airflow in the windpipe (trachea) or in the back of the throat.
Common Causes- Acute bronchitis
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Interstitial lung disease
- Foreign body obstruction of the airway
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary edema
- Tracheobronchitis
Nasal flaringand cyanosis are emergency symptoms. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath can be an emergency condition. Seek immediate medical care if you have any of these symptoms.
Contact your health care provider if you have wheezing or other abnormal breathing sounds.
See also: Breathing difficulty
What to expect at your health care provider's officeYour health care provider will do a physical exam and ask you questions about your medical history and your breathing.
Questions may include:
- When did the breathing sound start?
- How long did it last?
- How would you describe your breathing?
- What makes it better or worse?
- What other symptoms do you have?
The health care provider usually discovers abnormal breath sounds. You may not even notice them.
The following tests may be done:
- Analysis of a sputum sample (sputum culture, sputum gram stain)
- Blood tests (including an arterial blood gas)
- Chest x-ray
- CT scan of the chest
- Pulmonary function tests
What else can I help you with?
When should you use a bell versus a diaphragm during a physical examination?
A bell is used to listen to low-pitched sounds like heart murmurs, while a diaphragm is used to listen to high-pitched sounds like breath sounds. Use the bell for heart and vascular sounds, and the diaphragm for lung and bowel sounds during a physical examination.
When should the bell or diaphragm of a stethoscope be used during a physical examination?
The bell or diaphragm of a stethoscope should be used during a physical examination to listen to different frequencies of sounds. The bell is used for low-frequency sounds like heart murmurs, while the diaphragm is used for high-frequency sounds like breath sounds.
Which is a breath sound that could be heard on inspiration?
Crackles, also known as rales, are breath sounds that can be heard on inspiration. They are often caused by fluids or secretions in the airways or by the popping open of collapsed alveoli. Crackles can be heard with a stethoscope and may indicate conditions such as pneumonia or heart failure.
Is gasp a onomatopoeia?
Yes, "gasp" is an example of an onomatopoeia because it imitates the sound of a sudden intake of breath, often due to surprise or shock. Onomatopoeias are words that mimic the natural sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.
How do you get a didj to work?
To play a didgeridoo, practice shaping your mouth into a loose embouchure, or "buzzing" position. Blow raspberries from your lips and adjust your tongue and cheeks to control the pitch and tone. Experiment with different levels of breath and pressure to produce varying sounds. Keep practicing to develop your technique and breath control.
What breath sounds will you hear when you have tuberculosis?
no breath sounds
How are abnormal breath sounds detected?
A doctor can tell if a person has abnormal breath sounds by listening with a stethoscope. This is often seen in people with COPD or asthma.
An abnormal sounds produced in the lungs as air moves through fluids of the bronchiole tree?
Air is normally able to pass through the bronchial tree normally is the bronchial tree is open via laminar flow. Breath sounds are heard during auscultation of the chest, using a stethoscope. Normal breath sounds are termed as vesicular breath sounds. However, in conditions such as a pleural effusion where there is air within the pleural cavity, the flow of air becomes disturbed. Therefore, there will be absent breath sounds and if the effusion is large, bronchial breath sounds will be heard which are both abnormal.
What does abbreviation CTA mean for breath sounds?
Clear to Ausculation.
Do emts use stehscopes?
yes the do, they use them for checking breath sounds, hart sounds, and for taking blood pressure.
What are three disease processes that will cause absent breath sounds?
Lobectomy
What is a pain on the right side of the chest witshortnss of breath absent breath sounds on the right and no movement of the chest wall?
plulmoary embolism
What causes diminished breath sounds in emphysema?
The person's lungs are not moving air well in emphysema. Also irritants cause increased production of phlegm, which can reduce air movement, hence, diminished breath sounds.
Lung sounds of a patient having an anaphylactic reaction?
wheezing from shortness of breath
Breath sounds of exudates in the alveoli?
Exudates in the alveoli cause rales (crackles).
What are abnormal breath sounds heard during inhalation or exhalation called?
Crackles
What does the medical abbreviation BBS mean?
BBS stands for Bilateral Breath Sounds.
