Wheezes are best described as:

• A. Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds
• B. Non-audible due to obstruction
• C. Continuous, high-pitched squeak or musical sound from narrowed airways
• D. Dull percussion note

Answer: (C)

Wheezes come from air moving through narrowed airways, which creates a continuous, high-pitched squeak or musical sound. This sound reflects bronchial constriction or inflammation, typical in conditions like asthma, bronchitis, or COPD, and is usually heard mainly during expiration (though it can appear on inspiration as well). It’s a sign of obstructive airway disease where some airflow remains, producing a detectable whistle rather than silence.

This differs from coarse, low-pitched breath sounds (rhonchi), which are more like snoring sounds and come from secretions in larger airways. A dull percussion note points to something different, such as pneumonia or a pleural effusion, where the area doesn’t have the air movement that causes wheezes. The idea of being non-audible due to obstruction doesn’t fit wheezes, since they rely on audible airflow through constricted airways to produce the sound.