Rosh Emergency Medicine Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A "whistle" sound, often described as wheezing, is most commonly associated with asthma. This condition is characterized by reversible airway obstruction that leads to bronchoconstriction, inflammation, and increased mucus production. During expiration, the narrowed airways produce a high-pitched whistling sound as air is forced through these constricted passages.

In asthma, wheezing is particularly prominent during expiration due to the physiological changes that occur in the airways. These changes include bronchial smooth muscle contraction and airway edema, which narrow the airways and create turbulence in the airflow.

While other conditions listed may also produce abnormal lung sounds, they typically do not present with wheezing in the same way or to the same extent as asthma. For instance, atelectasis involves collapse of lung tissue and may produce dullness rather than wheezes, pneumonia often presents with crackles or rales due to fluid in the alveoli, and chronic bronchitis may also present with wheezing but typically encompasses both inspiratory and expiratory sounds rather than a prominent expiratory wheeze. In summary, the wheezing sound during expiration is most characteristic of asthma due to its specific airway obstruction mechanisms.