Late inspiratory crackles (rales) begin in late inspiration and increase in intensity. They are normally higher-pitched and can vary in loudness. These adventitious breath sounds resemble the noise made when hook and loop fasteners are being separated. These sounds are heard over posterior bases of the lungs. They may clear with changes in posture or several deep breaths. They do not clear with coughing.
Crackles - Late Inspiratory (Rales) Sounds
Half Speed Crackles - Late Inspiratory (Rales) Sounds
Technique
The patient's position should be sitting.
Auscultation Tips for Crackles - Late Inspiratory (Rales)
Features:Crackles begin in late inspiration and increase. High-pitched, variable loudness. Best heard over posterior bases of the lungs. Do not usually clear with coughingSound Wave
Authors and Sources
Authors and Reviewers
- EKG heart rhythm modules: Thomas O'Brien.
- EKG monitor simulation developer: Steve Collmann
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12 Lead Course: Dr. Michael Mazzini, MD.
- Spanish language EKG: Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH
- Medical review: Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD
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Heart sounds and mentorship: W. Proctor Harvey, MD
- Medical review: Dr. Pedro Azevedo, MD, Cardiology
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Last Update: 1/8/2023
Sources
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Electrocardiography for Healthcare Professionals, 5th Edition
Kathryn Booth and Thomas O'Brien
ISBN10: 1260064778, ISBN13: 9781260064773
McGraw Hill, 2019 -
Rapid Interpretation of EKG's, Sixth Edition
Dale Dublin
Cover Publishing Company -
12 Lead EKG for Nurses: Simple Steps to Interpret Rhythms, Arrhythmias, Blocks, Hypertrophy, Infarcts, & Cardiac Drugs
Aaron Reed
Create Space Independent Publishing -
Heart Sounds and Murmurs: A Practical Guide with Audio CD-ROM 3rd Edition
Elsevier-Health Sciences Division
Barbara A. Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN - Clinical Heart Disease
W Proctor Harvey, MD
Clinical Heart Disease
Laennec Publishing; 1st edition (January 1, 2009) -
The Virtual Cardiac Patient: A Multimedia Guide to Heart Sounds, Murmurs, EKG
Jonathan Keroes, David Lieberman
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkin)
ISBN-10: 0781784425; ISBN-13: 978-0781784429 - Project Semilla, UCLA Emergency Medicine, EKG Training Breena R. Taira, MD, MPH
Crackles - Late Inspiratory (Rales) | #149
