What term refers to the sounds made by air movement in the lungs?

The sounds made by air movement in the lungs are referred to as breath sounds. These sounds provide crucial information about a patient's respiratory status and can vary depending on whether the air is moving freely through the airways or if there are obstructions or abnormalities present. For instance, normal breath sounds indicate healthy lung function, while abnormal breath sounds like wheezing or crackles can indicate conditions such as asthma or pneumonia. Understanding breath sounds is a fundamental aspect of assessing respiratory function in patients, making it essential for emergency care and transport providers to recognize and interpret these sounds accurately.

Other terms in the question refer to different concepts. Vital signs encompass basic measurements such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate, which provide information about a person's general health. Pulmonary function tests are specific assessments that measure lung capacity and functionality, often conducted in a clinical setting, rather than assessing sounds during breathing. Heart sounds are noises produced by the closure of heart valves and are not related to lung function or air movement in the respiratory system. Thus, "breath sounds" is the appropriate term for the sounds generated during airflow in the lungs.