stprdi_01

Thanks Peter that does help some. I guess everyone has their own names for different sounds and basically there are just a couple of them. I guess he had expiratory crackles throughout his right lung. I did find though that when he did manage to cough(when we turned him side to side) the cough more or less cleared the upper airways. Moaned with each expiration too. Afebrile. Mid eighties with probable prostate cancer. The doctor did say if his lungs were filling up we could give Lasix. Now the question, you say not to give Lasix with pneumonia. Not always a temp with pneumonia so ...... how do we know?????? Hope you don't mind. It's nice to troubleshoot.

I am a fairly new RN working in Geriatrics and have to admit Breath sounds are a problem area for me. My residents are mostly no transfers. I have been working with a man who is failing quickly. I just have a hard time understanding and describing what I hear in his lungs. Am I right to assume that anything that sounds like a crackle, bubble, gurgle generally means fluid in some amount?? I hear so many different terms like crackles, rales, rhonchi, I am very confused by it all. What is the difference in crackles if it's heard on inspiration or expiration. We have always been told to just document it as we hear it. This guy had espiratory "crackles" to his lower left lung and expiratory "crackles" throughtout his right lung. (Sounds like bubbles to me) No transfer. So would Lasix and oxygen be warranted? I am usually the only RN in this facility per shift so there isn't anyone around for advice. I'd appreciate it if anyone could give me their course of action on situations like this and also describe these sounds to me.