What term describes a bubbling or noisy sound caused by fluid in the air passages?

The term that describes a bubbling or noisy sound caused by fluid in the air passages is rale. Rales, often referred to as crackles, are typically heard during inhalation and indicate the presence of secretions in the airways or alveoli, such as in cases of pneumonia or heart failure. This sound can be a sign of fluid accumulation, which can obstruct normal airflow and ultimately affect respiration.

Wheezes are high-pitched sounds produced by narrowed airways, often associated with conditions like asthma. Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched sound that typically occurs during inhalation and indicates upper airway obstruction. Rhonchi, on the other hand, are low-pitched, rattling sounds caused by the obstruction of larger airways, often associated with conditions like bronchitis. Each of these sounds has distinct characteristics and clinical implications, but rales specifically refer to the bubbling sound created by fluid, making it the correct term in this context.