Rosh Internal Medicine Boost Practice Exam

During the physical exam, what were the breath sounds noted to be?

1. Wheezing and diminished

2. Clear and equal bilaterally

3. Rhonchi and abnormal

4. Stridor and diffuse

The correct answer is: Clear and equal bilaterally

The answer indicating that the breath sounds were clear and equal bilaterally points to a normal physical examination finding in the lungs. Clear and equal breath sounds suggest that air is moving freely throughout all areas of the lungs, indicating the absence of obstructions, consolidations, or any pathological processes affecting airflow. This finding is significant because it reflects proper lung function and implies that there are no acute or chronic respiratory issues impacting the patient's ability to breathe. In contrast, options such as wheezing alongside diminished sounds would indicate a problem, such as obstruction in the air passages or reduced airflow, which can occur in conditions like asthma or COPD. Rhonchi, which are characterized by low-pitched gurgling sounds caused by secretions in the larger airways, also denote an abnormal finding and suggest potential respiratory issues that would require further investigation. Stridor indicates significant upper airway obstruction, which is an alarming clinical finding that requires urgent evaluation. Thus, identifying the breath sounds as clear and equal bilaterally indicates a healthy respiratory status, providing a baseline against which any abnormalities can be assessed.