Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

What tone should a nurse anticipate when percussing the anterior chest over the majority of the lung fields?

1. Resonance

2. Tympany

3. Hyperresonance

4. Dullness

The correct answer is: Resonance

When percussing the anterior chest over the majority of the lung fields, the nurse should anticipate a tone of resonance. This is because the lung tissue is filled with air, which produces a sound that is typically described as resonant. Resonance is a low-pitched, hollow sound that indicates healthy lung tissue and normal air-filled spaces. In the context of lung assessment, resonance is expected in most areas because the lungs are normally aerated. If there were conditions such as fluid or solid masses present in the lungs, a dullness might be expected instead. Tympany and hyperresonance are associated with the presence of excess air or gas, which are not typical findings in the lungs unless conditions like pneumothorax or emphysema are present. Thus, recognizing that resonance is indicative of normal lung function aids in accurate health assessments.