A young female patient has been stung by a bee and states that her "throat is closing up." She states that she is allergic to bee stings and the last time this happened, she had to have a "tube put into my windpipe." She is struggling to breathe and can only speak a few words at a time. Knowing that allergic reactions can cause swelling in the pharynx and at the level of the larynx, which one of the following respiratory sounds would indicate that the patient indeed has swelling in this area?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh sound that is heard during inspiration and is indicative of obstruction at the level of the larynx or trachea. In this case, the patient's history of allergic reactions and difficulty breathing suggests that there is swelling in this area, which could result in stridor. Gurgling and snoring sounds usually arise from the lower respiratory tract and are not specific to upper airway obstruction, while wheezing is usually associated with bronchospasm, which is not the primary concern in this case.

A Young Female Patient Has Been Stung by a Bee