What it means
Continuous, coarse sounds made as air moves past mucus in the larger airways. They are often louder on breathing out and may change or clear after the client coughs. They are heard in bronchitis, pneumonia and other conditions with a lot of secretions. Some newer texts group them with wheezes as "low-pitched wheezes."
For the nurse
Ask the client to cough and listen again; note whether the sound clears. Help clear secretions with coughing and deep breathing, fluids, position changes and suctioning if needed.
At a glance
| Spanish | roncus |
|---|---|
| Also written | rhonchus |
Related terms
stridor
A high-pitched, harsh sound made while breathing, usually heard when breathing in.
wheezing
A high-pitched, whistling sound made as air moves through narrowed airways.
auscultation
Listening to the sounds inside the body, usually with a stethoscope.
chronic bronchitis
A long-term inflammation of the airways (bronchi) in the lungs, and one of the main forms of COPD.