PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

On physical exam of a pleural effusion, percussion typically reveals what?

1. Resonance on both sides

2. Dullness on side with air

3. Dullness on side with fluid

4. Hyperresonance on side with fluid

The correct answer is: Dullness on side with fluid

In the context of a pleural effusion, percussion of the affected area typically reveals dullness on the side where fluid has accumulated. This is because fluid in the pleural cavity alters the normal sounds produced during percussion. When you tap over an area where there is air, such as in a healthy lung or a lung with a pneumothorax, you would expect to hear a resonant sound due to the presence of air. Conversely, as fluid collects in the pleural space, it creates a denser medium compared to air, leading to a dull sound upon percussion. This dullness is a critical finding in clinical examination, helping to differentiate pleural effusion from other conditions such as pneumothorax, where hyperresonance would be noted due to the presence of air, not fluid. Overall, the presence of dullness during percussion on the side with fluid accumulation is a fundamental part of assessing pleural effusions through physical examination techniques.