In the pediatric pneumonia case, which auscultation finding was reported?

• A. Wheezing throughout both lungs
• B. Stridor
• C. Reduced breath sounds and coarse crackles on the right lung base
• D. No abnormal sounds

Answer: (C)

Pneumonia in children often produces localized consolidation that changes the way air moves in the affected area. When alveoli in a region are filled with inflammatory exudate, there is less air entry, so breath sounds become diminished over that area. The inflammatory process also causes secretions and fluid in the airways, leading to coarse crackles as air moves through these fluid-filled spaces. So a finding of reduced breath sounds with coarse crackles in the right lung base fits a localized consolidation typical of pneumonia.

Wheezing throughout both lungs would point more toward small airways disease or reactive airway conditions, not a localized consolidation. Stridor indicates upper airway obstruction, which is a different problem. No abnormal sounds would not align with the changes seen in pneumonia’s affected region.