Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

When percussing the posterior lung fields, which finding is the nurse expected to observe?

1. Dullness

2. Resonance

3. Tympany

4. Hyperresonance

The correct answer is: Resonance

When percussing the posterior lung fields, the expected finding is resonance. This sound is produced when the normal air-filled lungs are tapped, indicating that the lung tissue is healthy and functioning correctly. Resonance is characterized by a low-pitched, hollow sound that resonates in a way that reflects the presence of air within the lungs. Understanding lung percussion is vital for assessing respiratory function. In healthy individuals, the lungs filled with air will produce this resonant sound, whereas other sounds can indicate pathological conditions. For instance, dullness would typically indicate the presence of fluid or solid masses in the lung fields, which could suggest issues like pneumonia or pleural effusion. Tympany, which is a high-pitched sound, is usually associated with air in an abdominal cavity, not the lungs. Hyperresonance, on the other hand, may indicate over-inflation of the lungs, as seen in conditions like emphysema or pneumothorax. Thus, recognizing the characteristic sounds of percussion can help guide assessment and decision-making in clinical practice.