Which term corresponds to the sound described as squeaky leather, grating, or rasping heard on auscultation?

• A. S1S2
• B. Ablation
• C. Rub
• D. Tachycardia

Answer: (C)

A friction rub is the sound described as squeaky leather, grating, or rasping heard on auscultation. It occurs when roughened serosal surfaces slide against each other, such as the inflamed pericardium in pericarditis or the inflamed pleura in pleuritis. This scratchy, high-pitched sound stands in contrast to normal heart sounds produced by valve closures (S1 and S2) and to sounds or events unrelated to the auscultation of membranes (like tachycardia or procedural terms such as ablation).