What are wheezes?

• A. Adventitious breath sounds indicating fluid in the airways.
• B. Harsh crowing adventitious breath sounds caused by obstruction.
• C. High-pitched whistling.
• D. Snoring-like adventitious breath sounds due to mucus.

Answer: (C)

Wheezes are high-pitched whistling breath sounds produced by air moving through narrowed or constricted airways. This narrowing comes from bronchospasm, inflammation, edema, or partial obstruction, and they’re usually heard during expiration (though can appear on inspiration in more severe narrowing). This description fits wheezes best, while other terms describe different sounds: crackles indicate fluid in the airspaces, rhonchi are low-pitched and muffled sounds from secretions in larger airways, and stridor is a harsh crowing sound from upper airway obstruction.