This review will cover the different types of adventitious (abnormal) lung sounds. As a nurse you want to be able to identify abnormal lung sounds and their characteristics. In this review you will learn about: wheezes, coarse crackles, fine crackles, stridor, pleural friction rub, rhonchi. What questions should you be asking yourself while auscultating adventitious […]

Rhonchi are abnormal lung sounds that present as a snoring sound. This sound tends to be noted mainly on expiration, but it can be heard during inspiration as well. However, before we jump right into identifying rhonchi, let’s go over the basics in helping you understand how to identify adventitious lung sounds. What questions should […]

Wheezes (high-pitched) are abnormal lung sounds that present as musical, whistling sounds. This sound tends to be noted on expiration where it is the loudest, but it can be heard on both inspiration and expiration. However, before we jump right into identifying wheezes, let’s go over the basics in helping you understand how to identify […]

Wheezes (high-pitched) are an adventitious lung sound. This quiz will test your knowledge on how to identify the characteristics of high-pitched wheezes. Don’t forget to check out the wheezes notes, along with other lung sound quizzes in this series. Also, we have a wheezes lung sound video that you might find helpful. Nurse Sarah’s Notes […]

Stridor is an abnormal lung sound that presents as a squawking or screeching sound. It occurs during inspiration or expiration. However, before we jump right into identifying stridor, let’s go over the basics in helping you understand how to identify adventitious lung sounds. What questions should you be asking yourself while auscultating adventitious lung sounds? […]

Pleural friction rub, also known as pleural rub, is an abnormal lung sound that presents with a harsh-grating noise. It occurs during inspiration and expiration. However, before we jump right into identifying a pleural friction rub, let’s go over the basics in helping you understand how to identify adventitious lung sounds. What questions should you […]

Coarse crackles are abnormal lung sounds that present like gurgling or bubbling sounds. They begin around inspiration and can sometimes extend into expiration. However, before we jump right into identifying coarse crackles, let’s go over the basics in helping you understand how to identify adventitious lung sounds. What questions should you be asking yourself while […]

Fine crackles, also called rales, are abnormal lung sounds that present like a popping or crackling noise towards the end of inspiration. However, before we jump right into identifying fine crackles, let’s go over the basics in helping you understand how to identify adventitious lung sounds. What questions should you be asking yourself while auscultating […]