What sound indicates an upper airway obstruction?

What sound indicates an upper airway obstruction?

• A. Rhонchi
• B. Stridor
• C. Crackles
• D. Wheezes

Answer: (B)

Upper airway obstruction produces a high-pitched, inspiratory sound known as stridor. This turbulence happens when air is forced through a narrowed larynx or trachea, such as from swelling, a foreign body, or other obstruction at the upper airway. Stridor is typically heard best over the neck and is most prominent during inhalation, signaling that the problem is above the thoracic inlet. Rhonchi are coarse, low-pitched sounds from secretions in larger airways and are often improved with coughing; crackles are popping sounds from fluid in the alveoli or atelectasis; wheezes are musical sounds due to narrowing of smaller airways, usually expiratory. These other sounds point to problems in the lower airways or at the level of the alveoli, not an upper airway obstruction.

Upper airway obstruction produces a high-pitched, inspiratory sound known as stridor. This turbulence happens when air is forced through a narrowed larynx or trachea, such as from swelling, a foreign body, or other obstruction at the upper airway. Stridor is typically heard best over the neck and is most prominent during inhalation, signaling that the problem is above the thoracic inlet.

Rhonchi are coarse, low-pitched sounds from secretions in larger airways and are often improved with coughing; crackles are popping sounds from fluid in the alveoli or atelectasis; wheezes are musical sounds due to narrowing of smaller airways, usually expiratory. These other sounds point to problems in the lower airways or at the level of the alveoli, not an upper airway obstruction.