Which term describes continuous low-pitched rattling sounds often resembling snoring?

Which term describes continuous low-pitched rattling sounds often resembling snoring?

• A. Delta Wave
• B. Rhonchi
• C. Absence seizure
• D. Spina Bifida

Answer: (B)

In auscultation, continuous low-pitched rattling sounds that resemble snoring are called rhonchi. These sounds occur when air moves around secretions in the larger airways, such as mucus in bronchitis or COPD. Because the obstruction is in the bigger airways, rhonchi are typically heard during expiration, though they can be present on inspiration as well, and they often improve or clear after coughing or suctioning. This distinguishes them from crackles, which are brief, high-pitched popping sounds from the tiny airways or fluid in the alveoli. The other terms listed don’t describe lung sounds: delta waves are EEG findings related to brain activity, absence seizures are a type of seizure, and spina bifida is a neural tube defect.

In auscultation, continuous low-pitched rattling sounds that resemble snoring are called rhonchi. These sounds occur when air moves around secretions in the larger airways, such as mucus in bronchitis or COPD. Because the obstruction is in the bigger airways, rhonchi are typically heard during expiration, though they can be present on inspiration as well, and they often improve or clear after coughing or suctioning. This distinguishes them from crackles, which are brief, high-pitched popping sounds from the tiny airways or fluid in the alveoli.

The other terms listed don’t describe lung sounds: delta waves are EEG findings related to brain activity, absence seizures are a type of seizure, and spina bifida is a neural tube defect.