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

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Absent breath sound in the affected area is anticipated because the fluid in the pleural space prevents breath sounds from being heard. An increase in the anteroposterior to lateral ratio occurs in overinflated lungs as in emphysema. Hyperresonance over the affected area occurs in overinflated lungs as in emphysema. Increased vocal fremitus over the affected area is associated with consolidation that occurs with pneumonia or tumor. Fremitus is decreased to absent in pleural effusion.

A Nurse Examines a Patient with a Pleural Effusion and Finds