A patient with pneumonia has fine crackles at both lung bases. What do these sounds most likely indicate?

Correct answer: B. Fluid opening small collapsed airways

  • A. Air moving through narrowed bronchi
  • B. Fluid opening small collapsed airways
  • C. Pleural surfaces rubbing together
  • D. Complete blockage of a main bronchus

Explanation

Fine crackles occur when small airways or alveoli containing fluid or secretions open during inspiration. Wheezing suggests narrowed airways, while a pleural rub is a grating sound caused by inflamed pleural surfaces.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About Respiratory Nursing

Covers nursing assessment and management of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis, pleural disorders and respiratory failure. Key areas include breath sounds, oxygen therapy, airway suctioning, inhaled medicines, arterial blood gases and the difference between hypoxia, hypoxemia and carbon dioxide retention.

Practise Respiratory Nursing

50 free Respiratory Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Medical Surgical Nursing questions like this

Medical Surgical Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Respiratory Nursing questions