Question

The nurse expects to hear what lung sounds from a patient with pleural effusion? Select all that apply.

a)friction rubs
b)crackling
c)wheezing
d)diminished/absent breathe sounds

Answer 1

In patients with pleural effusion, diminished or absent breath sounds are commonly expected due to fluid in the pleural space, while friction rubs might be heard if there is pleural inflammation.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with pleural effusion is likely to present with certain characteristic lung sounds upon auscultation. The correct answers from the provided options are:

• Diminished/absent breath sounds - Fluid in the pleural space can obstruct the transmission of sound from the lung parenchyma, resulting in decreased or absent breath sounds over the area of the effusion.
• Friction rubs - These can occasionally be heard if there is pleural inflammation.

Contrarily, crackling (typically associated with conditions like pneumonia) and wheezing (often related to airway obstruction, such as in asthma or COPD) are not typically associated with pleural effusion unless there is coexisting pathology.

Patients with pleural effusion most commonly have diminished/absent breath sounds; friction rubs may be present but crackling and wheezing are less typical unless there is another underlying condition.