Can you explain these respiratory terms in easy to understand terms..??? i am a medical coding student..?
Rales are small clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds in the lung. They are believed to occur when air opens closed air spaces. Rales can be further described as moist, dry, fine, and coarse.
Rhonchi are sounds that resemble snoring. They occur when air is blocked or becomes rough through the large airways.
Wheezes are high-pitched sounds produced by narrowed airways. They can be heard when a person breathes out (exhales). Wheezing and other abnormal sounds can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope.
Stridor is a wheeze-like sound heard when a person breathes. Usually it is due to a blockage of airflow in the windpipe (trachea) or in the back of the throat.
Try this site which also has a coding magazine. It’s ADVANCE if you haven’t seen the site or magazine before :
http://respiratory-care-sleep-medicine.advanceweb.com/Article/Breath-Sounds-Revealed.aspx
I am an inpatient coder/ DRG. Coordinator
good luck!
MTK sleeping with snore
