Intermediate Lung Sounds Crackles - Early Inspiratory (Rales) Description Waveform Anatomy Early inspiratory crackles (rales), as suggested by the title, begin and end during the early part of inspiration. The pitch is lower than late inspiratory crackles. A patient's cough may decrease or clear these lung sounds. Early inspiratory crackles suggest decreased FEV1 capacity and are characteristic of COPD. play pause Maneuver:Sitting Chestpiece Position:Chest wall Chestpiece:Diaphragm Table of Contents Introduction Vesicular - Diminished Bronchophony - Healthy Bronchophony - Abnormal Egophony - e Egophony - a Whispered Pectoriloquy - Healthy Whispered Pectoriloquy - Abnormal Wheeze - Expiratory Wheeze - Monophonic Wheeze - Polyphonic Crackles - Early Inspiratory (Rales) Crackles - Late Inspiratory (Rales) Stridor
