Wheeze

Wheezes are adventitious lung sounds that are continuous with a musical quality. Wheezes can be high or low-pitched. High-pitched wheezes may have an auscultation sound similar to squeaking. Lower pitched wheezes have a snoring or moaning quality. The proportion of the respiratory cycle occupied by the wheeze roughly corresponds to the degree of airway obstruction. Wheezes are caused by narrowing of the airways.

Patient Recording

Patient Recording - Half Speed Playback

Position

The patient's position should be seated.

Listening Tips

Features:Wheezes are continuous, musical sounds, high or low-pitched. Typically, more pronounced on expiration

Waveform (Phonocardiogram)

Authors

These authors contributed the audio recordings and text found in this reference guide: Jon Keroes, MD,Diane Wrigley, PA, and David Lieberman.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.

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