Which finding is not typical in pleural effusion?

Which finding is not typical in pleural effusion?

• A. Shortness of breath
• B. Chest pain
• C. Hyperdynamic precordium
• D. Diminished breath sounds

Answer: (C)

In pleural effusion, the lungs are compressed by fluid, so you’d expect symptoms and exam findings related to reduced lung expansion and fluid in the chest. Shortness of breath is common because the fluid limits alveolar ventilation. Chest pain can occur if the effusion is inflammatory or pleuritic. Diminished breath sounds are a classic finding over the area of fluid due to the air being displaced by fluid and the muffling effect on sound transmission. A hyperdynamic precordium, meaning a strong, vigorous cardiac impulse, is not typical in pleural effusion. It points more toward high-output states (like anemia, thyroid storm, certain vascular conditions) rather than fluid collecting in the pleural space. So the finding that does not fit pleural effusion is a hyperdynamic precordium.

In pleural effusion, the lungs are compressed by fluid, so you’d expect symptoms and exam findings related to reduced lung expansion and fluid in the chest. Shortness of breath is common because the fluid limits alveolar ventilation. Chest pain can occur if the effusion is inflammatory or pleuritic. Diminished breath sounds are a classic finding over the area of fluid due to the air being displaced by fluid and the muffling effect on sound transmission. A hyperdynamic precordium, meaning a strong, vigorous cardiac impulse, is not typical in pleural effusion. It points more toward high-output states (like anemia, thyroid storm, certain vascular conditions) rather than fluid collecting in the pleural space. So the finding that does not fit pleural effusion is a hyperdynamic precordium.