The respiratory therapist is performing chest assessment on a post-op cholecystectomy patient who has developed cough, fever, and tachypnea. Which of the following would the therapist expect to find confirming the suspicion of post-op atelectasis in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bronchial breath sounds are expected in areas of lung consolidation or atelectasis, as the denser lung tissue conducts sound more efficiently. This is in contrast to the normal lung areas where vesicular breath sounds are heard.

The Respiratory Therapist Is Performing Chest Assessment on a Post-Op