Which of the following is a sign of pneumothorax as described in clinical signs?

• A. Fever
• B. Chest x-ray findings of collapsed lung
• C. Absent lung sounds on the affected side
• D. Wheezing throughout both lungs

Answer: (C)

In pneumothorax, air in the pleural space causes the lung to collapse, so a hallmark bedside finding is absent lung sounds on the side of the collapse. This happens because there’s little or no air movement within the collapsed lung to generate audible sounds when auscultated with a stethoscope. Fever would point toward infection, not this lung problem, and wheezing suggests airway constriction rather than a collapsed lung. Chest x-ray findings of a collapsed lung are diagnostic imaging signs, not something you hear or feel at the bedside. So, the absence of breath sounds on the affected side best reflects the clinical sign of a pneumothorax.