The nurse detects crackles when auscultating a patient's chest. Which statement accurately characterizes crackles?

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Crackles, also known as rales, are abnormal lung sounds characterized by discontinuous clicking or rattling sounds. They are primarily heard during inspiration because this is when the small airways and alveoli (that are collapsed or contain fluid) open or pop, creating the crackling sound. This distinguishes them from other types of lung sounds that may be heard over different phases of the respiratory cycle or in different parts of the lung.

The Nurse Detects Crackles When Auscultating a Patient's Chest