Final answer:
Wheezing are high-pitched sounds produced by narrowed airways often heard during exhalation and associated with conditions like asthma. Healthcare professionals listen for these sounds using a stethoscope to diagnose respiratory issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
The high-pitched breath sounds produced by airway narrowing are known as wheezing. When the airways are narrowed due to various conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or an allergic reaction, the flow of air becomes turbulent, leading to the characteristic wheeze that is often heard on exhalation. This is different from other types of abnormal breath sounds such as rales (which may indicate fluid in the alveoli typically associated with pneumonia or heart failure) and rhonchi (low-pitched sounds that suggest the presence of thick mucus within the bronchi).
During clinical examinations, healthcare professionals use a stethoscope to listen to these sounds. For example, wheezing may be heard in cases of asthma where the airways narrow and may become clogged with mucus, making breathing difficult. An effective assessment of breath sounds is crucial for diagnosing and managing respiratory conditions.