When auscultating the lungs of an adult client, the nurse notes that low-pitched, soft breath sounds are heard over the lower lobes. How would the nurse interpret these findings?
Normal sounds auscultated up against the sternum
Bronchovesicular sounds that are normal over that location
Bronchial sounds that are normal over that location
Normal sounds auscultated over the trachea
Vesicular breath sounds that are normal in that location
The Correct Answer is E
A. Normal sounds against the sternum would not be low-pitched or soft; they would typically be more pronounced.
B. Bronchovesicular sounds are medium-pitched and are not expected in the lower lobes; they are usually heard in the central area.
C. Bronchial sounds are high-pitched and hollow, typically heard over the trachea, not in the lower lobes.
D. Normal sounds over the trachea would not be described as low-pitched or soft.
E. Vesicular breath sounds are soft, low-pitched, and normal over peripheral lung fields, including the lower lobes, making this the correct interpretation.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Asthma typically presents with wheezing, not fine crackles.
B. Pneumothorax usually presents with decreased or absent breath sounds rather than crackles.
C. Atelectasis, which is common after surgery, can cause fine crackles at the lung bases due to collapsed alveoli reopening during inspiration.
D. Emphysema generally results in diminished breath sounds and hyper-resonance rather than crackles.
E. Bronchitis typically produces coarse crackles or rhonchi, not fine crackles.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hyperresonance is often heard in cases of pneumothorax or emphysema, not pneumonia.
B. Bubbling is not a percussed sound but rather a description of breath sounds or fluid.
C. Tympany is typically heard over hollow organs like the stomach and is not expected in lung assessment.
D. Dullness over lung tissue indicates fluid or consolidation, as seen in pneumonia.
E. Resonance is normal over healthy lung tissue but would not be expected over areas of consolidation.