While palpating the chest of a patient who repeats the words ...

[ts19998]

While palpating the chest of a patient who repeats the words ninety-nine, you note an area of increased tactile fremitus over the left lower lobe. Which of the following could explain this finding?
 
  1. Pneumothorax
  2. Emphysema
  3. Pneumonia
  4. Pleural effusions
  a. 2 only
  b. 1 and 4 only
  c. 1, 2, and 4
  d. 3 only

Question 2

Which of the following would cause an increase in tactile fremitus?
 
  a. Pleural effusion
  b. Pneumonia
  c. Emphysema
  d. Pneumothorax

[yifu223]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
Tactile fremitus is increased when the lung becomes consolidated as with pneumonia because sound vibrations travel better through a more solid medium.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Any condition that increases the density of the lung, such as the consolidation (or alveolar filling) that occurs in pneumonia, increases the intensity of fremitus.

[ts19998]

Excellent

[Kedrick2014]

Gracias!