HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

What is a normal finding when assessing the lung sounds of an adult?

1. Presence of adventitious sounds

2. Limited chest expansion

3. Muffled voice sounds

4. Hyperresonant percussion tones

The correct answer is: Muffled voice sounds

When assessing lung sounds in an adult, a normal finding is muffled voice sounds. This occurs under typical physiological conditions when a person's lungs are clear and normal air exchange is occurring. Muffled voice sounds indicate that sounds produced by the spoken voice are transmitted through healthy lung tissue without excessive amplification or obstruction. In a clinical setting, clear voice sounds might suggest lung consolidation, where the normal air-filled spaces in the lungs are replaced by denser material, as seen in conditions like pneumonia. As such, muffled voice sounds indicate a lack of such pathological conditions and suggest healthy lung function. Other findings, such as the presence of adventitious sounds, limited chest expansion, and hyperresonant percussion tones, are generally indicative of underlying issues and are not considered normal. Adventitious sounds, which include wheezes and crackles, typically reflect abnormalities in lung airflow or fluid presence. Limited chest expansion can signal respiratory conditions that restrict lung expansion, and hyperresonant percussion tones may indicate conditions such as pneumothorax or other factors associated with increased air in the thoracic cavity.