In pulmonary edema, which breath sound is typically heard?

• A. Crackles
• B. Wheezes
• C. Rhonchi
• D. Pleural rub

Answer: (A)

Pulmonary edema causes fluid to collect in the small airways and alveoli. As air moves through that fluid, the tiny airways pop open and close, producing crackling sounds heard on inspiration. These crackles can be fine or coarse and are the classic auscultatory finding in edema, often most noticeable at the lung bases.

Wheezes come from narrowed, constricted airways and are typical of conditions like asthma or bronchospasm. Rhonchi are coarser sounds from secretions in larger airways. A pleural rub results from inflamed pleural surfaces rubbing together. None of those are the typical finding for edema, making crackles the best answer.