The nurse is percussing over the lungs of a patient with pneumonia. If the patient has atelectasis, what sound will the nurse hear?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A dull percussion note signals an abnormal density in the lungs, as with pneumonia, pleural effusion, atelectasis, or a tumor. Tympany is a hollow drum-like sound normally found with percussion over the intestines in the abdomen. Resonance is a low-pitched, clear, hollow sound that predominates in healthy lung tissue. Hyperresonance is a lower-pitched, booming sound found when too much air is present such as in emphysema or pneumothorax. An abnormal density in the lungs, such as atelectasis, pneumonia, pleural effusion, or a tumor would produce a dull note when percussed.

The Nurse Is Percussing Over the Lungs of a Patient