Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

Which type of breathing is typically observed in bronchitis?

1. Scattered rales

2. Coarse rhonchi

3. Wheezing and rhonchi

4. Productive cough

The correct answer is: Coarse rhonchi

In bronchitis, coarse rhonchi are typically observed due to the presence of mucus and inflammation in the airways. These low-pitched, continuous sounds occur when air passes through enlarged or congested airways, making them resonate. The inflammation and excessive mucus production seen in bronchitis lead to these distinct sounds, which can often be heard through a stethoscope during auscultation. While scattered rales, wheezing, and a productive cough can also be associated with bronchitis, the defining characteristic of coarse rhonchi specifically indicates the presence of significant airway obstruction from mucus. A productive cough occurs alongside bronchitis but is a symptom rather than a type of breath sound. Hence, coarse rhonchi aligns directly with the respiratory findings typical of bronchitis.