Whispered Pectoriloquy & Egophony: Understanding Lung Assessments

Hi, I'm Maris, and in this video, we’re diving into two important lung assessment techniques: whispered pectoriloquy and egophony. I'll be following along with our Health Assessment Flashcards, which you can find on our website LevelUpRN.com. If you prefer digital resources, check out Flashable, the digital version of all our flashcards.


Now, let’s get started!

1. Whispered Pectoriloquy

As the name suggests, whispered pectoriloquy involves listening to a patient’s whispered voice through a stethoscope. Here’s how it works:

  1. Have the patient whisper a phrase—common choices include “99” or counting from 1 to 10.
  2. Place the stethoscope over different areas of the lung fields.
  3. Listen carefully as you move the stethoscope side to side, working your way down the lungs.

Expected Findings

Normally, as you move away from the larynx, the whispered words should become quieter.

Abnormal Findings

If the whispered words remain clear and distinct, especially in the lower lung lobes, this could indicate lung consolidation, such as pneumonia.

2. Egophony

A simple way to remember egophony is to focus on the “E” sound—because that's what the patient will be saying. Here’s the process:

  1. Instruct the patient to repeatedly say “E.”
  2. Move the stethoscope side to side across the lung fields.
  3. Listen carefully to how the sound is transmitted.

Expected Findings

A normal lung will transmit the sound exactly as the patient says it—you should hear “E.”

Abnormal Findings

If the “E” sound transforms into an “A” sound, this may indicate lung consolidation or pleural effusion.

Why Do These Changes Occur?

The way sound travels through the lungs depends on whether it's moving through air, fluid, or solid tissue:

  • Normal lungs (filled with air) muffle sounds as they travel.
  • Consolidation or fluid buildup (e.g., pneumonia or pleural effusion) enhances sound transmission, making whispered words or vowel sounds clearer or distorted.

Understanding these changes helps nurses detect lung abnormalities and determine if further investigation is needed.

Quick Knowledge Check

Let’s see what you’ve learned! Try answering these:

  1. If a nurse clearly hears whispered words during whispered pectoriloquy, what does this suggest?

    • Answer: Lung consolidation, such as pneumonia.

  2. What is the expected finding for egophony?

    • Answer: An “E” sound heard clearly over the lung fields.

Drop your answers in the comments—I’d love to see how many you got right!

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