Which abnormal lung sound is most associated with bronchial constriction?

Which abnormal lung sound is most associated with bronchial constriction?

• A. Rales
• B. Wheezing
• C. Rhonchi
• D. Stridor

Answer: (B)

Bronchial constriction narrows the airways and creates turbulent, high-pitched airflow, producing a musical sound called wheezing. This is most clearly linked to conditions with airway narrowing like asthma or reactive airway disease, and you’ll often hear it mainly during expiration, though it can appear on inspiration if the constriction is severe. By contrast, crackles (rales) come from fluid in the small airways or alveoli, rhonchi are coarse sounds from secretions in larger airways, and stridor is an upper airway obstruction that sounds harsh and crowing, usually louder on inspiration. So, the abnormal lung sound most associated with bronchial constriction is wheezing.

Bronchial constriction narrows the airways and creates turbulent, high-pitched airflow, producing a musical sound called wheezing. This is most clearly linked to conditions with airway narrowing like asthma or reactive airway disease, and you’ll often hear it mainly during expiration, though it can appear on inspiration if the constriction is severe. By contrast, crackles (rales) come from fluid in the small airways or alveoli, rhonchi are coarse sounds from secretions in larger airways, and stridor is an upper airway obstruction that sounds harsh and crowing, usually louder on inspiration. So, the abnormal lung sound most associated with bronchial constriction is wheezing.