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Abnormalities in the breath sounds

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The character of of the breath sounds should be assessed:

  • bronchial breathing:
    • the breath sounds are harsher than normal
    • often caused by lung consolidation
  • diminished breath sounds:
    • pleural effusion
    • pneumothorax
    • emphysema
    • lung collapse

Any added sounds should be noted:

  • pleural rub
  • rhonchi or wheezing:
    • constricted air passages may cause dry tubular sounds that are often maximal on expiration
  • crepitations

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