The nurse performs a physical assessment on a client who is just admitted for left lower-lobe pneumonia.The client describes experiencing an unproductive cough.Which assessment finding will support the nurse's suspicion of consolidation in the left lower lobe?
A)Scattered rales
B)Absent breath sounds
C)Stridor with expiration
D)Rhonchi cleared by coughing

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Absent breath sounds in the area of the left lower lobe would support the nurse's suspicion of consolidation due to pneumonia. Consolidation refers to the filling of the lung's airspaces with fluid, which can block the transmission of sound, leading to absent or significantly decreased breath sounds in the affected area.

The Nurse Performs a Physical Assessment on a Client Who