Which finding is typical of a pneumothorax?

Which finding is typical of a pneumothorax?

• A. Bradycardia
• B. Clear breath sounds
• C. Diminished lung sounds on the affected side
• D. Bilateral crackles

Answer: (C)

Pneumothorax causes air to collect in the pleural space, which allows the lung on the affected side to collapse or not fully expand. Because the lung isn’t inflating properly there, auscultation reveals diminished or absent breath sounds on that side. The other signs don’t fit as well: bradycardia isn’t typical—in fact, tachycardia is more common with distress and hypoxia; hearing clear breath sounds on the affected side would suggest the lung is still expanding; bilateral crackles point to fluid in the lungs rather than air in the pleural space. So the diminished lung sounds on the affected side best reflect the underlying issue.

Pneumothorax causes air to collect in the pleural space, which allows the lung on the affected side to collapse or not fully expand. Because the lung isn’t inflating properly there, auscultation reveals diminished or absent breath sounds on that side. The other signs don’t fit as well: bradycardia isn’t typical—in fact, tachycardia is more common with distress and hypoxia; hearing clear breath sounds on the affected side would suggest the lung is still expanding; bilateral crackles point to fluid in the lungs rather than air in the pleural space. So the diminished lung sounds on the affected side best reflect the underlying issue.