What it means
A musical, whistling breath sound, heard most often when breathing out, that happens when the small airways in the lungs are narrowed by swelling, tight muscles or mucus. It may be heard with a stethoscope or, when loud, without one. It is common in asthma, COPDsee-oh-pee-dee (said as letters)Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.chronic long-lastingobstructive blockingpulmon/o lung-ary relating toFull entry and allergic reactions. It is different from stridorSTRY-derA high-pitched, harsh sound made while breathing, usually heard when breathing in.Full entry , which comes from the upper airway and is heard mostly breathing in.
For the nurse
Listen over all lung fields and note whether the wheezing is on breathing in, out or both, and whether it clears after a bronchodilator. A very tight chest can go quiet when almost no air moves, so wheezes that disappear while the client still struggles to breathe need a report right away.
In a chart
"Expiratory wheezes in all lobes; improved after albuterol nebulizer."
At a glance
| Spanish | sibilancias |
|---|---|
| Also written | wheeze, wheezes, wheezy |
Related terms
stridor
A high-pitched, harsh sound made while breathing, usually heard when breathing in.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.
airway
The passages that carry air into and out of the lungs, from the nose and mouth to the smallest air tubes.
auscultation
Listening to the sounds inside the body, usually with a stethoscope.