An immobilized client is suspected of having atelectasis. This is asse

An immobilized client is suspected of having atelectasis. This is assessed by the nurse upon aus-cultation as:

1. Harsh crackles
2. Wheezing on inspiration
3. Diminished breath sounds
4. Bronchovesicular whooshing

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Atelectasis is the collapse of alveoli. In atelectasis, secretions block a bronchiole or a bronchus, and the distal lung tissue (alveoli) collapses as the existing air is absorbed, producing hypoventi-lation. If the client were suspected of having atelectasis, the nurse would expect diminished breath sounds in the area of hypoventilation. Harsh crackles indicate excessive airway secretion. Wheezing on inspiration indicates narrowing of the lumen of a respiratory passageway. Bron-chovesicular sounds are a mixture of bronchial and vesicular sounds. Bronchovesicular whoosh-ing would not be an expected sound indicating atelectasis.