A patient with pleuritis has been admitted to the hospital and reports pain with breathing. What other key assessment finding would the nurse expect to find upon auscultation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A patient with pleuritis will exhibit a pleural friction rub upon auscultation. This sound is made when the pleurae become inflamed and rub together during respiration. The sound is superficial, coarse, and low-pitched, as if two pieces of leather are being rubbed together. Stridor is associated with croup, acute epiglottitis in children, and foreign body inhalation. Crackles are associated with pneumonia, heart failure, chronic bronchitis, and other diseases. Wheezes are associated with diffuse airway obstruction caused by acute asthma or chronic emphysema.

A Patient with Pleuritis Has Been Admitted to the Hospital