What term should the nurse document when identifying stridor during lung auscultation of a client with severe burns?

Stridor is characterized as a high-pitched, wheezing sound resulting from turbulent airflow in the upper airway, often indicating partial obstruction or narrowing. It is particularly significant in the context of severe burns, as facial and airway injuries can lead to swelling or damage that compromises airflow. Documenting stridor accurately is vital for proper assessment and management, as it often necessitates immediate intervention to secure the airway and prevent respiratory distress.

While rhonchi, crackles, and wheezes refer to different types of abnormal lung sounds, they do not describe the specific sound and its implications as effectively as stridor does. Rhonchi are low-pitched and often associated with secretions in the airways, crackles result from fluid in the alveoli, and wheezes are generally related to bronchoconstriction. In the case of a client with severe burns, pinpointing stridor highlights the potential for acute airway compromise, guiding the nursing care plan toward prioritizing airway management and possible intervention.