Questions Verified and
Provided with A+
Graded Answers|
Latest Updated 2026
,Crepitus
A grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together;
also air bubbles under the skin that produce a crackling sound or crinkly feeling. can be
with or without pain.
Retractions
Occurs in severe asthma, COPD, or any upper airway obstruction.
What is fremitus?
Fremitus refers to the palpable vibrations that are transmitted through the
bronchopulmonary tree to the chest wall as the patient is speaking and is normally
symmetric.
, Where should one palpate when assessing for fremitus?
Fremitus is typically more prominent in the inter-scapular area than in the lower lung fields
over the right lung fields, and it is easy to detect other the right lung vs the left lung. It
disappears below the diaphragm.
What would cause tactile fremitus to be decreased?
Asymmetric decreased fremitus raises the likelihood of unilateral pleural effusion,
pneumothorax, or neoplasm.
What is the purpose of percussion?
Percussion sets the chest wall and underlying tissues in motion, producing audible sound
and palpable vibrations. Percussion helps you establish whether the underlying tissues
are air-filled, fluid-filled, or consolidated.
62 yr old male, everyday smoker, chronic cough, some SOB. He says he's had some
nasal drainage but nothing else. Vital signs are normal, but he has decreased breath
sounds in all lung fields. No dullness, fremitus, positive for rhonchi. What can be the
cause of his symptoms?
COPD: affects smokers and those of older age.
Exam: barrel chest
Ausc: Rhonchi, decreased breath sounds.
Percussion: Hyperresonance