ABNORMAL BREATHING SOUNDS

Sounds heard in addition to the expected

sounds during ascultation.
1.Wheeze
2.Crackles
3.Rhonchi
4.Stridor
5.Plueral rub
Wheeze
High pitched sound[whistling sound]

Mainly ascultated during expiration

Area-small lower airways of lungs

Narrowing and bronchial spasms in

small airways of lungs.

Causes-Asthama ,pneumonia,COPD

Treatment-breathing exercises, Drink hot

beverages

Shortness in breathing ,coughing,chest

tightness
CRACKLES
.Genrally audible during inhalation.
.Bubbling, rattling or crackling like sound.
.Indicate the lungs may have fluid or not inflating
correctly
.Causes-chronic bronchitis ,Pulmonary edema
,Pneumonia.

• COARSE • FINE

• Larger bronchi • Small airways

tube • Soft and high
• Loud and low pitched
pitched • Auscultated
• Asclutated only during
during mainly inhalation
inhalation • More
• Lasts longer frequently
 RHONCHI

• Low pitched
• Similar to snore
• due to movements of fluid and secretion in larger
airways or blockage
• Causes- cystic fibrosis ,pneumonia
• Treatment- bronchodilators ,coughing
 STRIDOR

• High pitched
• Caused due to blockage of upper airways.
• Most common in children
• Mainly observed during inspiration.
• Causes-laryngomalcia, croup, subglottic stenosis
PLUERAL RUB

• High pitched sound

• Gratting or rubbing sound
• Heard best at the base of the lungs
• Can be heard in inspiration and expiration
• Causes-pneumonia ,pleuritis
 PITCH AREA CAUSES SIMILAR
ASCULTATE SOUNDS

WHEEZE high Lower airways Asthama

lungs pnuemonia

CRACKLE High Bases of lungs Chronic

Low bronchtis

RHONCHI low Chest wall Cystic fibrosis

STRIDER high Anterior neck Laryngomalcia

,croup

PLUERAL high Upper Pleuritis,

RUB lungs/base pneumonia