Free NREMT AEMT Flashcards

Stridor, a harsh sound heard mainly on inspiration, points to narrowing at or above the glottis or in the extrathoracic airway, such as swelling, a foreign body or croup. Wheezing, a musical sound typically heard on expiration, points to narrowed lower intrathoracic airways, as in asthma or COPD. The sound's timing matters because it localizes the obstruction and therefore which treatment, airway positioning or bronchodilator, is most likely to help.