The noise made by a patient with severe respiratory distress when breathing is characterized as what?

The noise made by a patient with severe respiratory distress is characterized as stridor when it involves a high-pitched sound typically occurring during inhalation. This sound indicates an upper airway obstruction, often due to swelling or constriction in the larynx or trachea. It is crucial for EMTs to recognize stridor as it signifies a potentially life-threatening condition that may require immediate airway intervention.

In contrast, wheezing is a lower-pitched, musical sound that occurs during exhalation (and sometimes inhalation) due to bronchospasm, often associated with conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Rhonchi refer to low-pitched, rattling sounds caused by the presence of mucus in the airways, commonly indicating bronchitis or other pulmonary conditions. A rattle is more of a general term that does not specifically refer to the clinical sounds associated with severe respiratory distress. Knowing the distinctions between these sounds is essential for identifying and responding appropriately to different respiratory emergencies.