In assessing an adolescent with dyspnea, which lung sound should the nurse identify?

When assessing an adolescent with dyspnea, identifying wheezes is particularly significant. Wheezes are high-pitched, continuous sounds that occur when air moves through narrowed airways, often indicative of conditions such as asthma or bronchospasm. In adolescents, who may be more susceptible to asthma or allergic reactions causing airway constriction, recognizing wheezes can be crucial in diagnosing and managing their respiratory distress.

Wheezing suggests an obstruction of airflow, which directly correlates with the experience of dyspnea. Prompt identification allows for timely interventions, such as the administration of bronchodilators or corticosteroids, which can alleviate the symptoms by opening the airways.

While crackles may suggest fluid in the lungs or pneumonia and pleural friction rub indicates inflammation between the pleura, these are less common causes of acute dyspnea in this age group. Rhonchi, which are lower-pitched sounds that may indicate secretions in the airways, also do not typically correspond as closely to the urgent clinical picture presented by wheezing in an adolescent with difficulty breathing. Thus, recognizing wheezes is key in guiding appropriate care for this patient's respiratory condition.