Breath Sounds

Introduction

This website offers free and paid lessons, auscultation guides and quizzes for adventitious breath sounds. On this page we provide a definition, and then we present examples of several types of adventitious breath sounds using audio recordings and text. Links to the free training courses are noted as well.

What Are Adventitious Breath Sounds?

Adventitious breath sounds are abnormal sounds that are heard over a patient's lungs and airways. These sounds include abnormal sounds such as fine and coarse crackles (crackles are also called rales), wheezes (sometimes called rhonchi), pleural rubs and stridor. Adventitious breath sounds are important clues used for diagnosing numerous cardiac and pulmonary conditions. These sounds and corresponding conditions are described in our breath sounds courses.



Auscultation of Adventitious Lung Sounds

Listening to these adventitious lung sounds usually with a stethoscope.

Lung sounds can be heard across the anterior and posterior chestwalls. Auscultation is best done in a quiet room, The chestpiece should be placed directly on the skin when possible.



Listen to Example Lung Sounds

These are examples of common, adventitious lung sounds.

Crackles

Crackles are discontinuous, brief, popping sounds. Similar to the sound of a hook and loop fastener being pulled apart
patient torso with stethoscope chestpiece
patient position during auscultation
The patient's position should be seated.

Wheeze

Wheezes are continuous, musical sounds, high or low-pitched. Usually more pronounced on expiration.

Audio Playback

patient torso with stethoscope chestpiece
patient position during auscultation
The patient's position should be seated.

Rales

Rales are discontinuous, brief, popping and bubbling sounds.

Audio Playback

patient torso with stethoscope chestpiece
patient position during auscultation
The patient's position should be seated.

Pleural Rubs

Pleural rubs are creaking or grating sounds that have been described as being similar to walking on fresh snow.

Audio Playback

patient torso with stethoscope chestpiece
patient position during auscultation
The patient's position should be seated.

Stridor

A loud, high-pitched sound heard during inspiration but may also occur throughout the respiratory cycle.

Audio Playback

patient torso with stethoscope chestpiece
patient position during auscultation
The patient's position should be sitting.

Respiratory Sounds Reference Guide

Our auscultation guide provides information and examples of adventitious breath sounds. The guide pages provide waveforms with a moving cursor that is synchronized to the audio recording. In addition, listening tips are available.


Lung Sounds Reference Guide

Contributors

Authored by Diane Wrigley, PA
Reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.
Special acknowledgement to Dr. Raymond Murphy, MD, PhD.

Quick Links to Other Breath Sounds

While we have many breath sound lessons and quick references on this website. Please use the links below.



Related Training Materials

Learn important breath sounds. Our lessons cover over 15 adventitious breath sounds. Please review the lesson descriptions and links below.


Authors and Reviewers

Sources


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