EMT Basic Certification Complete Practice Exam 2025

Rhonchi are characterized by a low-pitched, snoring or rattling sound that typically occurs when there is obstruction or narrowing of the larger airways due to thick mucus or other secretions. This sound is often heard in patients with conditions such as chronic bronchitis or COPD where there is an accumulation of mucus. The presence of thick secretions in the airways leads to the turbulence of airflow, resulting in the distinct sound of rhonchi during breathing.

In contrast, wheezing is a high-pitched sound often associated with asthma or reactive airway disease, resulting from narrowed or obstructed smaller airways. Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound indicative of upper airway obstruction, typically heard on inhalation. Crackles, on the other hand, are fine, short sounds that can indicate fluid in the small airways or crackling upon inhalation, often associated with conditions like pulmonary edema or pneumonia. Understanding these differences is crucial for accurate assessment and appropriate management of respiratory conditions.