Fine Crackles (Rales) | Auscultation #317 | Lesson with Audio

Where to Auscultate

patient thorax when auscultating by stethoscope

patient position during auscultation
The patient was seated during auscultation.

Description

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.

Phonocardiogram

Authors and Sources

Authors and Reviewers

Sources

  • 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
  • PESI Faculty - Diane S Wrigley
  • 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)
  • Heart and Lung Sounds Reference Guide
    PracticalClinicalSkills.com




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