A patient is admitted to the emergency department with a tracheal obstruction. What sound does the nurse expect to hear as this patient breathes?
A) Dull sounds on percussion
B) Soft, muffled rhonchi heard over the trachea
C) Bubbling or rasping sounds heard over the trachea
D) High-pitched sounds on inspiration and exhalation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

High-pitched sounds on inspiration and exhalation are consistent with stridor. Dull sounds on percussion occur with pneumonia, pleural effusion, or atelectasis. Soft, muffled rhonchi heard over the trachea is not a description of stridor. Bubbling or rasping sounds heard over the trachea is not a description of stridor.

A Patient Is Admitted to the Emergency Department with a Tracheal