Which of the following abnormal breath sounds indicates obstruction of the upper airway?

Study for the Nassau County EMT Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following abnormal breath sounds indicates obstruction of the upper airway?

Explanation:
Stridor points to an obstruction in the upper airway. It’s a high-pitched, harsh or musical sound usually heard during inhalation and seen when air is forced through a narrowed throat area above the vocal cords. This differs from wheeze, which comes from narrowed smaller airways in the lungs; crackles, which come from fluid or collapsed alveoli; and rhonchi, which are coarse sounds from secretions in larger airways. Because the problem is up high, stridor signals a potentially dangerous airway issue that often requires rapid assessment and airway support, including oxygen and readiness for advanced airway management.

Stridor points to an obstruction in the upper airway. It’s a high-pitched, harsh or musical sound usually heard during inhalation and seen when air is forced through a narrowed throat area above the vocal cords. This differs from wheeze, which comes from narrowed smaller airways in the lungs; crackles, which come from fluid or collapsed alveoli; and rhonchi, which are coarse sounds from secretions in larger airways. Because the problem is up high, stridor signals a potentially dangerous airway issue that often requires rapid assessment and airway support, including oxygen and readiness for advanced airway management.

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