Which lung sound is most consistent with bronchospasm?

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Multiple Choice

Which lung sound is most consistent with bronchospasm?

Bronchospasm narrows the small airways, causing air to rush through constricted passages and create a musical, high-pitched wheeze, especially on expiration. This sound reflects the increased resistance from constricted bronchioles, which is a hallmark of conditions like asthma or reactive airways disease. Rhonchi come from secretions in larger airways and sound like a coarse, snoring noise. Crackles arise from fluid in the alveoli or from reopening airways and have a popping character. Stridor signals obstruction somewhere in the upper airway, producing a harsh, high-pitched noise typically during inspiration. Each of these sounds points to a different part or mechanism of airway or airway-lining pathology, whereas the wheeze directly indicates narrowed lower airways consistent with bronchospasm.

Bronchospasm narrows the small airways, causing air to rush through constricted passages and create a musical, high-pitched wheeze, especially on expiration. This sound reflects the increased resistance from constricted bronchioles, which is a hallmark of conditions like asthma or reactive airways disease.

Rhonchi come from secretions in larger airways and sound like a coarse, snoring noise. Crackles arise from fluid in the alveoli or from reopening airways and have a popping character. Stridor signals obstruction somewhere in the upper airway, producing a harsh, high-pitched noise typically during inspiration. Each of these sounds points to a different part or mechanism of airway or airway-lining pathology, whereas the wheeze directly indicates narrowed lower airways consistent with bronchospasm.

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