Final answer:
The sound expected over areas of consolidation during a respiratory examination in a pneumonia patient is dullness, reflecting the presence of fluid-filled lung spaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a respiratory examination of a client who has pneumonia, the sound expected over areas of consolidation during percussion is dullness.
This is because the normally air-filled lung spaces are now filled with fluid and other inflammatory cells, which makes the sound less resonant.
Resonance is the hollow sound heard in normal lungs, while hyperresonance may occur in cases of excessive air, such as in emphysema.
Flatness is usually heard over solid organs like the liver and is not typical for pulmonary consolidation.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) Dullness. A chest radiograph, which often shows consolidations (lesions) as opaque patches, can be used in conjunction with physical examination to diagnose pneumonia.