CEA Nursing Practice Exam

When auscultating a patient and hearing crackles that clear upon coughing, what condition might this indicate?

1. Congestive heart failure

2. Atelectasis

3. Laryngospasm

4. Bronchiectasis

The correct answer is: Atelectasis

When crackles are heard during auscultation and they clear upon coughing, this is typically indicative of a condition like atelectasis. Atelectasis occurs when a portion of the lung collapses or does not inflate properly, often due to mucus obstruction or a lack of deep breathing. The sound of crackles arises from the sudden opening of small airways and alveoli as air passes through mucus or fluid, and when the patient coughs, the mucus may be cleared, resulting in the disappearance of the crackles. The presence of crackles that can be cleared with coughing suggests that there is some degree of obstruction in the airways, which can be effectively cleared through a cough. This is characteristic of atelectasis where postural changes and coughing play a vital role in re-expanding collapsed lung areas, allowing for improved air movement and resolution of the crackles. In contrast, conditions like congestive heart failure, laryngospasm, and bronchiectasis may produce different types of lung sounds that do not typically clear with coughing. Congestive heart failure is often associated with persistent crackles due to fluid overload, which would not resolve with a cough. Laryngospasm involves a spasm of the voice box that does not produce crack