Heart and Lung Sounds Reference Guide

Crackles - Coarse (Rales) Auscultation Reference

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Patient Half Speed

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Lesson

For heart sounds listen to the synthetic sound while reviewing this lesson.

Coarse crackles are discontinuous, brief, popping lung sounds. Compared to fine crackles they are louder, lower in pitch and last longer. They have also been described as a bubbling sound. You can simulate this sound by rolling strands of hair between your fingers near your ear.

The waveform(s) seen above are a chart of sound amplitude (loudness) on the vertical axis against time on the horizontal axis.

Listening Tips

A summary of the key aspects of this heart or lung sound.
Course crackles are discontinuous, brief, popping sounds. Similar to the sound of a hook and loop fastener being pulled apart. They have also been described as a bubbling sound. More common during inspiration.

Auscultation Method

The recommended patient position is seated

For this sound, use stethoscope's diaphragm The recommended auscultation position for the stethoscope is anterior-3l

Relevant Courses

If you wish to review a complete mobile concerning Crackles - Coarse (Rales) Auscultation Reference and related heart sounds, the modules(s) listed below may be useful. Each lesson includes text that explains the auscultatory sound and its clinical significance. The lesson also includes an audio track for playback. A waveform provides a great way to visualize the sounds. Finally, we also include an animation video. For heart sounds, the video illustrates heart muscle and valve movements along with blood flow. For lung sounds, the primary source of the sounds can be seen. Each module also includes a quiz.

Basics of Lung Sounds

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Crackles - Coarse (Rales) Auscultation Reference