Fine Crackles (Rales)
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In this example, a patient has fine crackles. Such sounds are sometimes associated with congestive heart failure. During early to mid stages of CHF, fine crackles may be heard over the patient's posterior lung bases.
Use the slider to reveal the area of the lungs where these crackles originate.
Authored by Diane Wrigley, PA. Medically reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.