Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an adventitious lung sound?

1. Wheeze

2. Stridor

3. Crackle

4. Thump

The correct answer is: Thump

Adventitious lung sounds are abnormal sounds that are heard when assessing the lung fields and are indicative of various respiratory conditions. The sounds typically recognized as adventitious include wheezes, stridor, and crackles, each representing different types of airway obstructions or issues with lung mechanics. Wheeze is a high-pitched sound produced by airflow through narrowed airways, often heard in conditions like asthma or COPD. Stridor is a harsh, wheezing sound that typically indicates upper airway obstruction, such as in cases of croup or anaphylaxis. Crackles, also known as rales, are discrete sounds produced by the popping open of small airways or alveoli, commonly associated with conditions like pneumonia or congestive heart failure. In contrast, "thump" is not recognized as a medical or clinical term for a lung sound. It does not refer to an adventitious lung sound and does not provide specific diagnostic information regarding the respiratory system. Thus, it is correctly identified as not being an adventitious lung sound. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper assessment and diagnosis in respiratory medicine.