Which of the following findings is most commonly associated with pleural effusion during a respiratory assessment?

Rationale: A. Increased tactile fremitus over the affected area is incorrect because pleural effusion decreases tactile fremitus. The fluid in the pleural space prevents vibrations from being transmitted through the chest wall, so fremitus is diminished or absent over the effusion. B. Wheezing heard on auscultation over the affected area is incorrect because wheezing results from narrowed airways, such as in asthma or bronchospasm. Pleural effusion typically reduces breath sounds, and wheezing is not a common finding. C. Dullness to percussion over the affected area is correct because pleural effusion involves accumulation of fluid in the pleural space. When the nurse percusses the chest, the fluid creates a dull, flat sound, in contrast to the normal resonant sound of air-filled lungs. This is a hallmark finding for pleural effusion on physical examination. D. Hyperresonance to percussion over the affected area is incorrect because hyperresonance occurs when the lung contains excess air, such as in pneumothorax or emphysema, not fluid accumulation.