A musical, squeaking, or whistling sound heard on inspiration or expiration during lung auscultation is known as which?

• A. Crackles
• B. Stridor
• C. Rhonchi
• D. Wheezing

Answer: (D)

Wheezing is a musical, squeaking sound produced by turbulent airflow through narrowed airways. It’s a high-pitched whistling that most often shows up during expiration, though it can be heard on inspiration when airway narrowing is significant. This distinguishes it from crackles, which are brief pops from fluid or opening of small airways; rhonchi, which are coarse, snoring sounds from secretions in larger airways; and stridor, a harsh, vibrating sound from upper airway obstruction. In practice, wheeze points to bronchospasm or airway inflammation causing narrowing, and management focuses on relieving that narrowing with bronchodilators and appropriate supportive care.