Final answer:
The breath sound described as a bubbling noise not cleared by coughing is called crackles or rales. It is often indicative of fluid or mucus in the airways or alveoli of the lungs. Crackles can have a fine or coarse quality depending on the underlying condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The breath sound described as a bubbling noise not cleared by coughing is called crackles or rales. It is often indicative of fluid or mucus in the airways or alveoli of the lungs. Crackles can be heard with a stethoscope during inspiration, and they may have a fine or coarse quality depending on the underlying condition.
One example of a condition that can cause crackles is pneumonia. In pneumonia, the lungs fill with mucus, leading to crackling sounds during breathing. Another example is pulmonary edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs causing crackling noises. These crackles are often heard at the bases of the lungs.