In infants with bronchiolitis, which audible finding is commonly observed?

In infants with bronchiolitis, which audible finding is commonly observed?

• A. Stridor
• B. Expiratory wheezes
• C. Fine crackles only
• D. Absence of breath sounds

Answer: (B)

Small-airway inflammation in bronchiolitis narrows the bronchioles and traps air, especially during expiration. This creates a musical, expiratory wheeze, which is the most typical audible sign in infants with bronchiolitis. Stridor would indicate upper airway obstruction rather than bronchiolar disease. Fine crackles can appear from mucus plugging or atelectasis but are not the defining sound, and absence of breath sounds would suggest more severe or different pathology. So expiratory wheeze best reflects the airway involvement and sound heard in bronchiolitis.

Small-airway inflammation in bronchiolitis narrows the bronchioles and traps air, especially during expiration. This creates a musical, expiratory wheeze, which is the most typical audible sign in infants with bronchiolitis. Stridor would indicate upper airway obstruction rather than bronchiolar disease. Fine crackles can appear from mucus plugging or atelectasis but are not the defining sound, and absence of breath sounds would suggest more severe or different pathology. So expiratory wheeze best reflects the airway involvement and sound heard in bronchiolitis.