Wheezing is described as which of the following?

• A. Upper airway noise on INHALE - high-pitched
• B. Positional/neuro impairment snoring
• C. Stridor
• D. Lower airway noise on EXHALE - wheeze sound

Answer: (D)

Wheezing is a lower airway noise heard during exhalation due to narrowed airways in the lower respiratory tract. The air moving through constricted bronchioles creates a high-pitched, musical whistling sound as expiration occurs. This contrasts with stridor, which is an upper airway noise heard during inhalation from obstruction above the larynx, and with snoring, which is a soft tissue vibration typically not related to lower airway narrowing.