Fine Crackles (Rales)
Virtual Auscultation
The patient's position is seated.
Lesson
Fine crackles sound like hook and loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro) when they are pulled apart. These sounds are brief, high-pitched sounds. They have also been compared to wood crackling in a fireplace. Crackles are also know as rales. Fine crackles appear in both inspiration and expiration. Observation of the timing of fine crackles within the breath cycle has diagnostic value. For example, late inspiratory fine crackles may suggest pneumonia, atelectasis or congestive heart failure. Early inspiratory or expiratory crackles are sometimes observed in patients with chronic bronchitis.Waveform
Authors and Sources
Authors and Reviewers
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Heart sounds by Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD and David Lieberman, Developer, Virtual Cardiac Patient.
- Lung sounds by Diane Wrigley, PA
- Respiratory cases: William French
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David Lieberman, Audio Engineering
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Heart sounds mentorship by W. Proctor Harvey, MD
- Special thanks for the medical mentorship of Dr. Raymond Murphy
- Reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.
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Last Update: 12/11/2022
Sources
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Heart and Lung Sounds Reference Library
Diane S. Wrigley
Publisher: PESI -
Impact Patient Care: Key Physical Assessment Strategies and the Underlying Pathophysiology
Diane S Wrigley & Rosale Lobo - Practical Clinical Skills: Lung Sounds
- Essential Lung Sounds
Diane S. Wrigley, PA-C
Published by MedEdu LLC - PESI Faculty - Diane S Wrigley
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Case Profiles in Respiratory Care 3rd Ed, 2019
William A.French
Published by Delmar Cengage - Essential Lung Sounds
by William A. French
Published by Cengage Learning, 2011 - Understanding Lung Sounds
Steven Lehrer, MD
- Clinical Heart Disease
W Proctor Harvey, MD
Clinical Heart Disease
Laennec Publishing; 1st edition (January 1, 2009)
