Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What type of breath sounds are typically present in bronchitis?

1. Wheezes and rales

2. Coarse rhonchi and wheezes

3. Stridor and wheezing

4. Fine crackles

The correct answer is: Coarse rhonchi and wheezes

Bronchitis is characterized by inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which can lead to the production of excess mucus and narrowing of the airways. This condition typically presents with specific breath sounds that are indicative of the underlying pathology. Coarse rhonchi, often described as low-pitched and snoring-like sounds, are prevalent due to the accumulation of mucus in the larger airways. These sounds occur when air passes through partially obstructed airways. Additionally, wheezing may also be heard, which is a high-pitched sound resulting from airflow being restricted through narrowed airways. This can happen in bronchitis as the inflammation and mucus production obstruct normal airflow, particularly during expiration. In contrast, the other options describe either sounds that are not typically associated with bronchitis or more specific respiratory conditions. Stridor, for instance, is a high-pitched sound often associated with upper airway obstruction, while fine crackles (also known as rales) may indicate pulmonary conditions such as pulmonary edema or fibrosis, rather than bronchitis itself. Therefore, the combination of coarse rhonchi and wheezes aptly reflects the respiratory findings in a patient with bronchitis.