In pneumothorax, what is typically heard on auscultation over the affected side?

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Multiple Choice

In pneumothorax, what is typically heard on auscultation over the affected side?

When air collects in the pleural space, the affected lung collapses and sound transmission to the chest wall is reduced. That makes breath sounds on auscultation diminished or absent over the side with the pneumothorax, especially if the pneumothorax is large or progressing. In a small pneumothorax you might still hear some breath sounds, but they’re decreased compared to the unaffected side. Normal breath sounds would suggest no abnormality in the lung or pleural space. Crackles are from fluid or alveolar/airway inflammation, not from air in the pleural space. Increased tactile fremitus is a palpation finding more consistent with alveolar consolidation, not with pneumothorax, where fremitus is typically decreased.

When air collects in the pleural space, the affected lung collapses and sound transmission to the chest wall is reduced. That makes breath sounds on auscultation diminished or absent over the side with the pneumothorax, especially if the pneumothorax is large or progressing. In a small pneumothorax you might still hear some breath sounds, but they’re decreased compared to the unaffected side.

Normal breath sounds would suggest no abnormality in the lung or pleural space. Crackles are from fluid or alveolar/airway inflammation, not from air in the pleural space. Increased tactile fremitus is a palpation finding more consistent with alveolar consolidation, not with pneumothorax, where fremitus is typically decreased.

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