When auscultating an infant's lungs,the nurse detects diminished breath sounds.What should the nurse interpret this as?
A) Suggestive of chronic pulmonary disease
B) Suggestive of impending respiratory failure
C) An abnormal finding warranting investigation
D) A normal finding in infants younger than 1 year of age

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Absent or diminished breath sounds are always an abnormal finding.Fluid,air,or solid masses in the pleural space all interfere with the conduction of breath sounds.Further data are necessary for diagnosis of chronic pulmonary disease or impending respiratory failure.Diminished breath sounds in certain segments of the lungs can alert the nurse to pulmonary areas that may benefit from chest physiotherapy.Further evaluation is needed in all age groups.

When Auscultating an Infant's Lungs,the Nurse Detects Diminished Breath Sounds