Auscultation & Percussion Findings

Question 1

Normal lung; percussion + auscultation

Answer 1

percussion: resonant

auscultation: Vesicular breath sounds; no added sounds

Question 2

Pneumothorax; percussion + auscultation

Answer 2

percussion: Hyperresonant

auscultation: Absent or ↓ breath sounds

Question 3

Pleural effusion; percussion + auscultation

Answer 3

percussion: Stony dull

auscultation: Absent/↓ breath sounds, possible bronchial breathing above fluid level

Question 4

Pulmonary oedema; percussion + auscultation

Answer 4

percussion: Resonant or dull (if consolidation)

auscultation: Fine inspiratory crackles (often at bases)

Question 5

Consolidation (e.g. pneumonia); percussion + auscultation

Answer 5

percussion: Dull

auscultation: Bronchial breathing, crackles, ↑ vocal resonance

Question 6

Difference between pneumothorax and atelectasis

Answer 6

A collapsed lung happens when air enters the pleural space, the area between the lung and the chest wall. If it is a total collapse, it is called pneumothorax. If only part of the lung is affected, it is called atelectasis

Question 7

COPD/asthma (severe); percussion + auscultation

Answer 7

percussion: Hyperresonant

auscultation: Wheeze (expiratory > inspiratory), ↓ breath sounds if severe

Question 8

Fibrosis; percussion + auscultation

Answer 8

percussion: Dull (mild) or normal

auscultation: Fine end-inspiratory crackles (velcro-like)

Question 9

Bronchiectasis; percussion + auscultation

Answer 9

percussion: Resonant

auscultation: Coarse crackles, often with rhonchi (low-pitched wheeze)