Final answer:
Emphysema typically presents with a barrel-shaped chest due to lung hyperinflation, while asthma is characterized by wheezing on expiration from airway inflammation. Pneumonia manifests with crackles on auscultation and decreased breath sounds, reflecting fluid-filled alveoli and inhibited gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
Respiratory Diseases and Symptoms
When considering respiratory diseases, it is essential to understand the specific symptoms and diagnostic findings associated with each condition. In the context of emphysema, a barrel-shaped chest is a common physical finding due to hyperinflation of the lungs and the breakdown of alveolar walls. This makes it more difficult to fully exhale air from the lungs, causing air trapping and increased lung volume.
Asthma is characterized by inflammation of the airways, leading to wheezing on expiration, coughing, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms often occur in response to environmental triggers, causing obstruction of the airways due to edema, smooth muscle spasms, and increased mucus production.
Regarding pneumonia, one would expect to find crackles on auscultation, indicating fluid-filled alveoli, which inhibits proper gas exchange. Decreased breath sounds may also be noted, and additional symptoms like coughing, fever, and chest pain can be present. Radiographic imaging often shows opacities or shadows within the lung fields due to the infection.