Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

Which condition is consistent with diminished breath sounds, asymmetrical chest expansion, and severe chest pain?

1. Viral pneumonia

2. Pneumothorax

3. Collapsed lung

4. Bronchitis

The correct answer is: Pneumothorax

Diminished breath sounds, asymmetrical chest expansion, and severe chest pain are indicative of a pneumothorax. This condition occurs when air enters the pleural space, leading to the collapse of the lung on the affected side. The presence of air in the pleural cavity disrupts normal lung mechanics, resulting in diminished breath sounds upon auscultation. Asymmetrical chest expansion is also a hallmark of pneumothorax because the lung on the affected side cannot fully expand due to the presence of air in the pleural space. This can lead to a noticeable difference in the movement of the chest wall during respiration between the two sides. The severe chest pain commonly associated with pneumothorax is often sharp and worsens with deep breathing or coughing, as the lung and pleural layers are irritated. While other conditions such as viral pneumonia, collapsed lung (which can be considered synonymous with pneumothorax), and bronchitis might present with respiratory symptoms, they do not typically exhibit the specific combination of diminished breath sounds, halting and asymmetric chest expansion, and the severe pain seen in pneumothorax.