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Respiratory Sound Reduction Causes

Reduced or absent breath sounds can be caused by fluid or air in the lungs, thickening of the chest wall, overinflation of parts of the lungs, or reduced airflow to parts of the lungs. Generalized reduction in breath sounds may be due to obesity, hyperinflation of the lungs from COPD, or hypoventilation from conditions like severe asthma. Localized reductions can result from bronchial occlusion preventing air entry, collapsed lungs or lobes, pleural effusions reflecting sounds, or paralysis of the diaphragm or intercostal muscles reducing ventilation.

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Arvinth Guna Segaran
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82 views1 page

Respiratory Sound Reduction Causes

Reduced or absent breath sounds can be caused by fluid or air in the lungs, thickening of the chest wall, overinflation of parts of the lungs, or reduced airflow to parts of the lungs. Generalized reduction in breath sounds may be due to obesity, hyperinflation of the lungs from COPD, or hypoventilation from conditions like severe asthma. Localized reductions can result from bronchial occlusion preventing air entry, collapsed lungs or lobes, pleural effusions reflecting sounds, or paralysis of the diaphragm or intercostal muscles reducing ventilation.

Uploaded by

Arvinth Guna Segaran
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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7.

Review the causes of decreased breath sounds

Absent or Reduced Breath Sounds

Definition:

 Reduction in the intensity (loudness) of breath sounds is commonly described as reduced 'air
entry'.

Absent or decreased sounds can mean:

 Air or fluid in or around the lungs (such as pneumonia, heart failure, and pleural effusion)
 Increased thickness of the chest wall

 Over-inflation of a part of the lungs (emphysema can cause this)


 Reduced airflow to part of the lungs

 It can be generalised or localised.

Causes of generalised reduction in intensity of breath sounds include:

 Obesity

 Hyperinflation of the lungs (e.g. COPD)

 Hypoventilation (e.g. life-threatening asthma)

Causes of localised reduction in breath sounds include:

 Bronchial occlusion (preventing air entry into a lobe)

 Collapsed lung or lobe

 Pleural effusion or pneumothorax (causing reflection of the sounds)

 Unilateral paralysis of the diaphragm or intercostal muscles (causing reduced ventilation)

ARVINTH GUNA SEGARAN M15091124

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