Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

A patient has a high-pitched grating sound upon inspiration and expiration. What is this known as?

1. Dyspnea

2. Dullness

3. Wheeze

4. Stridor

The correct answer is: Stridor

The sound described as a high-pitched grating sound during both inspiration and expiration is known as stridor. Stridor is typically associated with upper airway obstruction and can occur due to conditions such as laryngeal edema, foreign body aspiration, or inflammation of the upper airway. The high pitch is indicative of a narrowing that affects airflow, which leads to turbulent air movement, resulting in that characteristic sound. Recognizing stridor is crucial in clinical practice as it often signifies a potentially life-threatening condition that may require immediate intervention to secure the airway. In contrast, dyspnea refers to the sensation of breathlessness but does not describe a specific sound characteristic. Dullness typically refers to a sound produced by a physical examination, indicating fluid or a solid mass in the thoracic cavity, rather than any auditory phenomenon associated with breathing. Wheezing is a different type of sound, usually a musical or whistling noise associated with asthma or bronchoconstriction, and is generally more pronounced during expiration rather than both phases of breathing.