Patient Assessment

Learn what vesicular breath sounds are, how they form, and why changes in these soft, low-pitched sounds can signal early lung problems.

Learn what bronchovesicular breath sounds are, where they’re normally heard, and why their presence elsewhere may signal early lung disease.

Learn what bronchial breath sounds are, how they form, and why hearing them in the lung periphery signals consolidation or atelectasis.

Learn what a pleural friction rub is, how it forms, and why this grating breath sound signals pleural inflammation needing evaluation.

Learn what diminished breath sounds mean, why they occur, and how they help identify airflow issues or pleural space problems in patients.

Learn what stridor is, why it occurs, and how to recognize dangerous upper airway obstruction for faster, more effective respiratory care.

Learn what rhonchi are, how they form, and what they reveal about mucus obstruction to improve respiratory assessment and patient care.

Learn what crackles are, why they occur, and how to assess them to better identify respiratory conditions during patient evaluation.

Learn what wheezing means, how it’s produced, and what conditions cause it to improve respiratory assessments and clinical decision-making.

Learn how auscultation helps respiratory therapists assess breath sounds, detect abnormalities, and guide effective patient care.