Expiratory wheeze, may also be inspiratory wheeze Usually quiet, no wheeze Expiratory wheeze, later may also be inspiratory wheeze and may have no breath sounds Mild expiratory wheeze
>20/min >20/min or <8/min 12-16/min 16-20/min
Speaks in words only or unable to speak Speaks in short phrases only Speaks in sentences Speaks in clear and steady sentences
>20/min 16-20/min >20/min or <8/min 12-16/min
Mild expiratory wheeze Expiratory wheeze, later may also be inspiratory wheeze and may have no breath sounds Expiratory wheeze, may also be inspiratory wheeze Usually quiet, no wheeze
Usually quiet, no wheeze May have a cough May be unable to cough
60-100/min >120 or <60 as a late sign 100-120/min
>120 or <60 as a late sign 60-100/min 100-120/min
Marked chest movement and may be some use of accessory muscles Little effort with small chest movement May be slight increase in normal chest movement Marked chest movement with accessory muscles, intercostal retraction and/or tracheal tugging
May be unable to cough May have a cough Usually quiet, no wheeze
Alert May be altered Altered or unconscious
Pale and sweaty, may be cyanosed May be pale and sweaty Normal
May be slightly prolonged expiratory phase Prolonged expiratory phase Regular even cycles
May have some fine crackles at bases Crackles at bases, to mid-zone No crackles or scattered fine basal crackles, e.g. postural Coarse crackles full field, with possibly a wheeze expiratory +/- inspiratory
>120 or <60 as a late sign 100-120/min 60-100/min
Regular even cycles May be slightly prolonged expiratory phase Prolonged expiratory phase
May be pale and sweaty Pale and sweaty, may be cyanosed Normal
Little effort with small chest movement May be slight increase in normal chest movement Marked chest movement with accessory muscles, intercostal retraction and/or tracheal tugging Marked chest movement and may be some use of accessory muscles
Calm, quiet Distressed, anxious, fighting for breath, exhausted, catatonic Likely calm, may be mildly anxious May be distressed, anxious
Altered or unconscious Alert May be altered
Usually quiet, no wheeze Expiratory wheeze, may also be inspiratory wheeze Expiratory wheeze, later may also be inspiratory wheeze and may have no breath sounds Mild expiratory wheeze
12-16/min 16-20/min >20/min >20/min or <8/min
Coarse crackles full field, with possibly a wheeze expiratory +/- inspiratory May have some fine crackles at bases No crackles or scattered fine basal crackles, e.g. postural Crackles at bases, to mid-zone
May have some fine crackles at bases Coarse crackles full field, with possibly a wheeze expiratory +/- inspiratory No crackles or scattered fine basal crackles, e.g. postural Crackles at bases, to mid-zone
Prolonged expiratory phase Regular even cycles May be slightly prolonged expiratory phase
Distressed, anxious, fighting for breath, exhausted, catatonic May be distressed, anxious Calm, quiet Likely calm, may be mildly anxious
Crackles at bases, to mid-zone Coarse crackles full field, with possibly a wheeze expiratory +/- inspiratory May have some fine crackles at bases No crackles or scattered fine basal crackles, e.g. postural
Alert Altered or unconscious May be altered
Speaks in sentences Speaks in short phrases only Speaks in clear and steady sentences Speaks in words only or unable to speak
Speaks in words only or unable to speak Speaks in sentences Speaks in short phrases only Speaks in clear and steady sentences
Marked chest movement and may be some use of accessory muscles May be slight increase in normal chest movement Marked chest movement with accessory muscles, intercostal retraction and/or tracheal tugging Little effort with small chest movement
Normal May be pale and sweaty Pale and sweaty, may be cyanosed
12-16/min >20/min 16-20/min >20/min or <8/min
Likely calm, may be mildly anxious Distressed, anxious, fighting for breath, exhausted, catatonic Calm, quiet May be distressed, anxious
Expiratory wheeze, later may also be inspiratory wheeze and may have no breath sounds Mild expiratory wheeze Usually quiet, no wheeze Expiratory wheeze, may also be inspiratory wheeze
May be unable to cough Usually quiet, no wheeze May have a cough
Marked chest movement and may be some use of accessory muscles Marked chest movement with accessory muscles, intercostal retraction and/or tracheal tugging May be slight increase in normal chest movement Little effort with small chest movement
Likely calm, may be mildly anxious May be distressed, anxious Distressed, anxious, fighting for breath, exhausted, catatonic Calm, quiet
May be altered Altered or unconscious Alert
Speaks in words only or unable to speak Speaks in short phrases only Speaks in clear and steady sentences Speaks in sentences
