Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

Whistling sounds heard on exhalation is known​ as:

1. Snoring

2. Wheezes

3. Rhonchi

4. Stridor

The correct answer is: Wheezes

Whistling sounds heard on exhalation are referred to as wheezes. Wheezes typically occur when there is a narrowing of the airways, which can be caused by conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or an allergic reaction. These sounds are high-pitched and musical, and they can occur in both the lungs and the airways. Wheezes are specifically noted during exhalation because the air is forced out through the narrowed passages, creating the characteristic whistling sound. This aspect of wheezing is crucial for differentiation from other respiratory sounds, such as stridor, which is often heard on inhalation and indicates upper airway obstruction. In contrast, snoring refers to a sound made during sleep due to airway obstruction, but it is not specifically associated with the exhalation phase. Rhonchi are lower-pitched sounds that often indicate the presence of secretions in the larger airways and may be heard on both inhalation and exhalation. Stridor, on the other hand, is a harsh, high-pitched sound that occurs primarily during inhalation and is indicative of significant upper airway obstruction. This contextual understanding of respiratory sounds reinforces why wheezes are solely recognized for whistling on exhal