A client diagnosed with pleuritis has been admitted to the hospital and complains of pain with breathing. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect when auscultating a client with pleuritis?

A) Crackles: Crackles are abnormal lung sounds often associated with conditions such as pneumonia, heart failure, or pulmonary edema. They result from fluid in the airways or alveoli. However, crackles are not typically the primary finding in pleuritis, which involves inflammation of the pleura. B) Stridor: Stridor is a high-pitched wheezing sound caused by an obstruction or narrowing of the upper airway, often seen in conditions such as croup or anaphylaxis. It is not characteristic of pleuritis, which involves inflammation of the pleura and not airway obstruction. C) Dyspnea: Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a common symptom in many respiratory conditions, including pleuritis. While pleuritis can lead to discomfort during breathing, dyspnea itself is not a sound that would be auscultated. It’s a subjective feeling that would be noted during the client’s history or verbal report, rather than an auscultatory finding. D) Friction rub: A pleural friction rub is the most expected finding when auscultating a client with pleuritis. This sound occurs when the inflamed pleural layers rub against each other during breathing, producing a grating, scratchy sound. The nurse will typically hear this sound best on inspiration or expiration and it is the hallmark sign of pleuritis. The presence of a friction rub indicates the pleural inflammation characteristic of this condition.