Question

The nurse knows that auscultation of fine crackles would most likely be noted in which situation?

a. In a healthy 5-year-old child
b. In the pregnant patient
c. In the immediate newborn period
d. In association with a pneumothorax

Answer 1

Fine crackles are most likely to be heard during the immediate newborn period, as newborns clear fluid from their lungs after birth. They are not customary in a healthy 5-year-old, pregnant patients, or associated with a pneumothorax.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse knows that auscultation of fine crackles would most likely be noted in the immediate newborn period (option c). This is because fine crackles are commonly heard in the lungs of newborns as they clear residual fluid following birth. In contrast, fine crackles are not characteristic of a healthy 5-year-old child, are not specific to pregnant patients, and are not typically associated with a pneumothorax, where you would more likely encounter diminished breath sounds or no breath sounds at all on the affected side.