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    HESI RN HEALTH ASSESSMENT PROCTORED EXAM

    The nurse auscultates a client's breath sounds as seen in the picture. Which type of normal sounds should the nurse hear over these lung fields?

    Explanation & Rationale

    A.Crackles: Crackles, also known as rales, are abnormal lung sounds that can indicate conditions such as pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or interstitial lung disease. They are often described as fine or coarse, and they may be heard during inspiration, expiration, or both. Crackles are typically heard over areas of fluid-filled alveoli or small airways. B. Vesicular. These sounds are typically heard over most of the lung fields and are associated with normal airflow through smaller airways. C. Bronchial: Bronchial breath sounds are typically heard over the trachea and mainstem bronchi. These sounds are louder and higher in pitch compared to vesicular sounds, with a shorter inspiratory phase and a longer expiratory phase. Hearing bronchial sounds over peripheral lung fields would suggest consolidation or compression of lung tissue, such as in pneumonia or atelectasis. D. Wheezes: Wheezes are high-pitched, musical sounds heard primarily during expiration. They are typically associated with narrowed airways, such as in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or bronchitis. Wheezes may be heard over the lung fields if there is widespread airway obstruction or bronchoconstriction.

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