Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

When transferring a patient with congestive heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, which breath sound is expected?

1. Snoring

2. Crackles

3. Stridor

4. Wheezing

The correct answer is: Crackles

In the context of a patient with congestive heart failure and acute pulmonary edema, the expected breath sounds would indeed be crackles. Crackles, often described as a series of short, explosive sounds, occur when air bubbles through fluid in the alveoli or small airways. In heart failure, fluid can accumulate in the lungs due to increased pressures in the pulmonary circulation, leading to the development of pulmonary edema. This condition typically results in crackling sounds, especially during inhalation, and is a hallmark sign indicating fluid overload in the pulmonary system. These sounds can often be heard with a stethoscope and signify the presence of pulmonary congestion. The other options represent different respiratory issues. Snoring indicates partial obstruction of the upper airway, while stridor is a high-pitched sound suggesting upper airway obstruction, often associated with conditions like croup or anaphylaxis. Wheezing, characterized by a high-pitched whistle, is generally associated with bronchospasm or obstruction in the lower airways, commonly seen in conditions like asthma or COPD. Each of these sounds indicates different pathologies that are not primarily linked to the fluid overload seen in congestive heart failure and acute pulmonary edema.