In pneumothorax, what might be heard over the injured area?

• A. Diminished or absent breath sounds over the affected side
• B. Wheezing bilaterally
• C. Crackles at bases
• D. Normal breath sounds

Answer: (A)

A pneumothorax collapses the lung on the injured side, so air movement to that portion of the chest is reduced or stopped. This leads to diminished or absent breath sounds when you auscultate over the affected area because the collapsed lung can’t transmit sounds to the stethoscope. The other options don’t fit: wheezing bilaterally points to bronchospasm or airway irritation rather than a collapsed lung; crackles at the bases suggest fluid in the lungs; and normal breath sounds would indicate the lungs are functioning normally in that region.