What is the term for a short, high-pitched sound heard on auscultation?

• A. Click
• B. Bruit
• C. Murmur
• D. NSR

Answer: (A)

A click is a brief, high-pitched sound heard with a stethoscope that comes from rapid valve leaflet movement or chordae tendineae tension. It’s a quick, sharp auditory event, often linked to valve conditions such as mitral valve prolapse (late systolic click) or a prosthetic valve’s opening. This sound is distinct from other heart or vascular sounds.

A bruit is a vascular sound caused by turbulent flow in an artery, not a heart sound. A murmur is a longer, swishing or swooshing sound produced by turbulent flow across a cardiac valve and lasts longer than a click. NSR stands for normal sinus rhythm, which is an electrical pattern described on ECG, not a auscultatory sound.