Percussion Sounds in Respiratory Assessment

Questions and Answers

What is resonance?

Over normal lungs, a high-pitch sound

Over normal lungs, a low-pitch sound (correct)

Over hyperinflated lungs

Over areas with high density

What is hyperresonance?

Over hyperinflated lungs, a lower, louder, and longer pitch than normal resonance.

Who might exhibit hyperresonance?

Patients with COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and older patients.

What is tympany?

Sound over gas in the stomach or intestines, or air in the pleural space. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'dull' indicate in percussion sounds?

It's sound over lungs, where liquid or solid has replaced air. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'flat' describe in percussion sounds?

The sound below the diaphragm where no air is present. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the normal sound of resonance over the lungs.

Low and short. Signup and view all the answers

Why is tympany loud?

Because air in a room always amplifies the sound. Signup and view all the answers

Where can gas be found during percussion?

Over the lungs and in the intestines. Signup and view all the answers

How are 'dull' and 'resonance' sounds different?

'Dull' sounds indicate solid or liquid underneath; 'resonance' indicates air. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a sound is super distinctive when someone speaks or whispers?

It indicates liquid and tissue debris within the lungs, not just air. Signup and view all the answers

Where would you typically hear a 'dull' sound?

In cases of pleural effusion or increased density with atelectasis or pneumonia. Signup and view all the answers

What sound progression might occur with conditions like pleural effusion or COPD?

Start with hyperresonance, then progress to a dull sound. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Percussion Sounds in Lung Assessment

Resonance: Low-pitched sound over normal lungs.
Hyperresonance: Lower, louder, longer pitch, indicative of hyperinflated lungs; commonly heard in patients with COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and older individuals due to excess air trapped in the alveoli.

Characteristic Sounds

Tympany: Loud drumming sound associated with gas in the stomach, intestines, or air in the pleural space; characterized by air's sound amplification.
Dullness: Occurs over areas where liquid or solid replaces air; found over the liver or in cases of pneumonia (PNA); longer duration than resonance sounds.
Flatness: Soft, high-pitched sound below the diaphragm where there is no air present.

Distinctions Between Sounds

Resonance vs. Dull:
- Resonance is produced by air in functional lung capacity.
- Dullness arises over solid (e.g., liver) or liquid areas, indicating density increase.

Clinical Implications

Increased dull sounds indicate conditions like pleural effusion and atelectasis, where greater density alters normal percussion sounds.
Hyperresonance may evolve into dull sounds in conditions involving fluid or air buildup (e.g., pleural effusion, COPD, pneumothorax).

Speech-Induced Changes

Distinctive sounds during speaking or whispering may suggest the presence of fluid and tissue debris instead of air, indicating pathology.

Description

This quiz focuses on percussion sounds that are crucial for respiratory assessment. It covers definitions and characteristics of resonance, hyperresonance, and tympany, as well as the conditions under which these sounds are observed. Test your understanding of these important concepts related to lung examination.