Question

You are evaluating a 5-year-old admitted to shadow general hospital with asthma having an acute exacerbation. what would you expect to hear when you listen to her lungs?

Answer 1

You could expect to hear wheezing and could be heavy breath that effect your lungs.

Answer 2

What you would expect to hear is a polyphonic high-pitched wheeze which can usually be heard at the end of exhalation. But take note that the intensity of the wheeze is not a good indicator for severity. Usually, when there is severe airway obstruction, the lungs are actually silent upon auscultation.