Stridor is best described as:

Optimize your performance with the Medical and Communication Skills Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions for thorough preparation. Each question includes detailed hints and explanations to aid your understanding. Equip yourself for success on test day!

Multiple Choice

Stridor is best described as:

Explanation:
Stridor comes from partial obstruction in the upper airway, such as the larynx or trachea. Because the blockage is above the thoracic inlet, airflow becomes turbulent as you inspire, producing a high-pitched, harsh noise. That’s why it’s described as harsh sounds heard during inspiration. It’s different from wheezing, which is usually a lower-airway sound heard during expiration (though it can occur with biphasic patterns). Absence of breath sounds isn’t stridor—it suggests a more severe obstruction with no audible airflow. So the best description is harsh sounds heard during inspiration.

Stridor comes from partial obstruction in the upper airway, such as the larynx or trachea. Because the blockage is above the thoracic inlet, airflow becomes turbulent as you inspire, producing a high-pitched, harsh noise. That’s why it’s described as harsh sounds heard during inspiration. It’s different from wheezing, which is usually a lower-airway sound heard during expiration (though it can occur with biphasic patterns). Absence of breath sounds isn’t stridor—it suggests a more severe obstruction with no audible airflow. So the best description is harsh sounds heard during inspiration.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy