Final answer:
The nurse should identify the sound as crackles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The crackling sound heard by the nurse auscultating the lungs of the adolescent experiencing dyspnea can be identified as crackles.
Crackles are abnormal lung sounds that occur when there is fluid or mucus in the airways or when the airways are inflated or collapsed rapidly. They are often described as fine or coarse crackling sounds and can be heard during inspiration or expiration. In this case, the crackles indicate potential respiratory distress or an underlying lung condition.
Other options:
- Wheezing: This refers to high-pitched musical sounds heard during expiration and is often associated with narrow airways and difficulty breathing.
- Stridor: This is a harsh, high-pitched sound heard during inspiration and can be caused by an obstruction in the upper airway.
- Rhonchi: These are low-pitched rumbling sounds heard during inspiration and expiration and are usually caused by an obstruction in the larger airways.