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