Question

A nurse examines a patient with a pleural effusion and finds decreased fremitus. What additional abnormal finding should the nurse anticipate during further examination?

a. An increase in the anteroposterior to lateral ratio
b. Hyperresonance over the affected area
c. Absent breath sounds in the affected area
d. Increased vocal fremitus over the affected area

Answer 1

In the case of a pleural effusion with decreased fremitus, a nurse should anticipate finding absent breath sounds in the affected area due to the inhibition of airflow caused by the fluid in the pleural space.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked about anticipated abnormal findings during further examination of a patient with a pleural effusion and decreased fremitus. When a nurse examines a patient with pleural effusion, decreased fremitus is commonly observed because the presence of fluid in the pleural space dampens the transmission of vibrations. Other findings on physical examination would include dullness to percussion over the area of the effusion instead of the normal resonance due to the presence of fluid.

One additional abnormal finding that should be anticipated during further examination is absent breath sounds in the affected area. This occurs because the fluid in the pleural space prevents air from flowing into that part of the lung, which results in an absence of airflow and therefore no breath sounds.