Which term refers to normal breath sounds?

• A. Rhonchi
• B. Emphysema
• C. Clear Lung Sounds
• D. Pulmonary Edema

Answer: (C)

Normal breath sounds are described as clear when auscultating the lungs—meaning there are no adventitious sounds such as wheezes, crackles, or rhonchi. The term “clear lung sounds” conveys that the lungs are free of abnormal noises on examination. Rhonchi are coarse secretions in larger airways, or they can indicate mucus buildup. Emphysema is a disease that can alter lung sounds but is not a descriptor of normal breath sounds. Pulmonary edema often presents with crackles from fluid in the alveolar spaces. So, the best choice is the one that specifically indicates normal auscultation: clear lung sounds.