What does the presence of low pitch rattles that lessen with a cough indicate?

The presence of low-pitched rattles that lessen with a cough indicates rhonchi. Rhonchi are coarsely, snore-like sounds produced by airflow obstruction in the larger airways, often caused by mucus or secretions. When a person coughs, these secretions can be cleared, which often leads to a reduction or complete cessation of the rattling sounds.

This contrasts with the other options: wheezing typically presents as high-pitched, whistling sounds due to narrowed airways, stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound that occurs during inhalation due to upper airway obstruction, and crackles are fine, intermittent sounds that often indicate fluid in the lungs, but they do not usually diminish with cough. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of respiratory sounds is essential for accurate assessments in nursing practice.