What does expiratory wheeze typically signify in a patient?

Expiratory wheeze is typically associated with obstruction of the lower airways. This sound occurs when air flows through narrowed air passages, causing turbulence that results in a whistling or musical quality in the breath sounds during expiration. Conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or other forms of pulmonary disease can lead to this type of obstruction, making wheezing a common clinical finding in patients experiencing difficulty in breathing.

In contrast, clear airways would not produce any wheezing at all, as unobstructed pathways allow for smooth airflow without any added sounds. Fluid in the lungs, such as with pulmonary edema or pneumonia, generally leads to different respiratory sounds, often characterized by crackles or moist rales rather than wheezing. Lastly, normal breathing sounds indicate that there are no blockages or abnormalities present in the airways, thus would not display any wheeze. Hence, the identification of expiratory wheeze points specifically toward lower airway obstruction.