Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

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Prepare for the AEMT Test. Enhance your skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions including hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam confidently!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which type of breath sounds are characteristic of fluid in the airways?

Wheezing
Crackles
Stridor
Rhonchi

The correct answer is: Crackles

Crackles, also known as rales, are breath sounds that indicate the presence of fluid or other substances in the airways or alveoli. They are typically heard during inspiration and can be described as popping or bubbling noises. This sound occurs when air moves through fluid-filled or partially collapsed alveoli, creating a distinctive sound that can be a key indicator of conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, or pulmonary edema, where fluid accumulation is present. This characteristic makes crackles a significant finding during a respiratory assessment. They provide valuable information about possible underlying health issues related to fluid in the lungs, aiding in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment decisions for patients presenting with respiratory distress.