Which signs best indicate right lower lobe pneumonia?

Which signs best indicate right lower lobe pneumonia?

• A. Increased heart rate; Decreased breath sounds; Dullness on percussion
• B. Decreased heart rate; Clear lungs
• C. Hyperresonance; Clear breath sounds
• D. No fever; Normal lung exam

Answer: (A)

When a localized pneumonia such as in the right lower lobe is present, you’ll see signs that reflect both systemic infection and the consolidation in that lung area. A faster heart rate is a common response to infection and fever. On examining the chest, dullness to percussion over the affected area indicates that air in the lung has been replaced by dense material (fluid-filled or inflammatory cells), which is characteristic of consolidation. Decreased breath sounds in that region can occur because the air movement is reduced when the alveoli are filled with inflammatory exudate, and it may also be stimulated by mild accompanying effusion. Taken together, these findings—tachycardia and chest exam changes around the right lower lobe—fit the pattern of lobar pneumonia better than the other scenarios, where the lungs would be clear, the percussion would be normal or hyperresonant, or there would be no fever.

When a localized pneumonia such as in the right lower lobe is present, you’ll see signs that reflect both systemic infection and the consolidation in that lung area. A faster heart rate is a common response to infection and fever. On examining the chest, dullness to percussion over the affected area indicates that air in the lung has been replaced by dense material (fluid-filled or inflammatory cells), which is characteristic of consolidation. Decreased breath sounds in that region can occur because the air movement is reduced when the alveoli are filled with inflammatory exudate, and it may also be stimulated by mild accompanying effusion. Taken together, these findings—tachycardia and chest exam changes around the right lower lobe—fit the pattern of lobar pneumonia better than the other scenarios, where the lungs would be clear, the percussion would be normal or hyperresonant, or there would be no fever.