Abnormal Lung Sounds

What do crackles indicate?

• Discontinuous popping sounds, usually on inspiration.

• Associated with fluid/secretions or reopening collapsed airways; think pulmonary edema, pneumonia, atelectasis, fibrosis.

What do rhonchi indicate?

Low-pitched, snoring/gurgling sounds caused by secretions or obstruction in larger airways.

What does wheezing indicate?

Musical/whistling sound caused by narrowed small airways/bronchospasm; commonly associated with asthma/COPD.

What does stridor indicate?

High-pitched sound indicating upper-airway obstruction.

What does a pleural friction rub indicate?

Inflamed visceral and parietal pleura rubbing together; heard during inspiration and expiration.

What can absent breath sounds indicate?

Pneumothorax or lung collapse.