Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 81%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A nurse is assessing a client who has a possible right pneumothorax.Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Reduced right-sided breath sounds. This finding suggests a potential pneumothorax on the right side, where air leaks into the pleural space causing lung collapse and decreased breath sounds. Intercostal retractions (B) indicate increased work of breathing, likely due to respiratory distress but not specific to a pneumothorax. High-pitched stridor (C) is a sign of upper airway obstruction, not typically seen with pneumothorax. Paradoxical chest movement (D) is seen in flail chest, not characteristic of pneumothorax.