What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

• A. Dullness upon percussion; diminished breath sounds; elevated heart rate
• B. Hyperresonance; clear breath sounds; low heart rate
• C. Normal percussion; increased breath sounds; bradycardia
• D. Hyperinflation; wheezing; tachypnea

Answer: (A)

Pneumonia produces alveolar consolidation and an inflammatory response, so the exam findings reflect that solidified, air-excluding lung tissue and the body's reaction to infection. Dullness to percussion occurs because the normally air-filled lung is filled with fluid and cells, making the tissue sound denser when tapped. Breath sounds can be diminished over the affected area if the airways are obstructed or if there’s accompanying fluid or effusion, and a person with pneumonia often develops tachycardia as part of the fever and systemic inflammatory response. The combination of dull percussion, changed (often diminished) breath sounds in the involved area, and an elevated heart rate fits the typical presentation of pneumonia.

The other patterns are less consistent: hyperresonance suggests excess air, as seen with pneumothorax or emphysema; clear breath sounds argue against consolidation; bradycardia is not typical in infection; and hyperinflation with wheezing points more to obstructive or reactive airways disease rather than pneumonia.