Florida State Paramedic Practice Exam

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What lower airway sound is characterized by a whistle on inspiration?

Wheezing
Stridor
Rales
Friction rub

The correct answer is: Wheezing

The sound characterized by a whistle during inspiration is known as wheezing. Wheezing is primarily produced by the oscillation of air through narrowed airways and is often associated with conditions that lead to bronchoconstriction, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or allergic reactions. During inspiration, this narrowing results in a high-pitched, musical sound that is distinct from other respiratory sounds. In contrast, stridor is typically a high-pitched sound heard primarily on inspiration but is related to upper airway obstruction, such as from laryngeal edema or a foreign body. Rales, also known as crackles, are discontinuous sounds that occur mostly during inspiration due to fluid in the alveoli or collapsed alveoli reopening, and friction rub refers to a grating sound caused by the movement of inflamed pleura. These distinctions clarify why wheezing is the appropriate answer in this context.