In bronchiolitis due to RSV, which auscultation finding is commonly observed?

In bronchiolitis due to RSV, which auscultation finding is commonly observed?

• A. Fine expiratory wheezes with coarse crackles
• B. Stridor
• C. Prolonged inspiratory phase
• D. Absent breath sounds

Answer: (A)

RSV bronchiolitis injures the small airways, leading to inflammation, edema, and mucus that narrow the bronchioles. This causes turbulent airflow that’s most noticeable during expiration, producing fine expiratory wheezes, while secretions in the distal airways generate coarse crackles as air moves through them. The combination of wheezes and crackles is a classic auscultatory pattern in infants with bronchiolitis. Stridor would indicate upper airway obstruction, not typical for bronchiolitis, and a prolonged inspiratory phase suggests upper airway issues like croup; absent breath sounds would imply more severe or different pathology. So the described pattern best fits RSV bronchiolitis.

RSV bronchiolitis injures the small airways, leading to inflammation, edema, and mucus that narrow the bronchioles. This causes turbulent airflow that’s most noticeable during expiration, producing fine expiratory wheezes, while secretions in the distal airways generate coarse crackles as air moves through them. The combination of wheezes and crackles is a classic auscultatory pattern in infants with bronchiolitis. Stridor would indicate upper airway obstruction, not typical for bronchiolitis, and a prolonged inspiratory phase suggests upper airway issues like croup; absent breath sounds would imply more severe or different pathology. So the described pattern best fits RSV bronchiolitis.