Crackles/Rales

Specialties Hospice

Published

Hi, I'm a little confused when it comes to using the term "crackles" and "rales." If I understand correctly, the terms are used synonymously. Can someone clarify what the difference is with the terms, if any? Thanks for helping..:)

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I took a refresher course this year and this is what they taught us:

Rhonchi: snore like (airway secretions, may clear with cough)

Wheeze: continuous (bronchitis, emphysema, asthma)

Rales and Crackles are same thing: short, discrete sounds-- fine crackles (crackling) and coorifice crackles (bubbling) (pneumonia, CHF, bronchitis)

Friction rub: dry, creaking sound (pleural inflammation)

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Specializes in Neonatal-Pedi, Hospice, Triage, Abstraction.

Listen for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JA6D1Mguh0

Or search lung sounds on You Tube

:up:

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.
http://www.easyauscultation.com/
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