The respiratory therapist is performing chest assessment on a post-op cholecystectomy patient who has developed cough, fever, and tachypnea

Which of the following would the therapist expect to find confirming the suspicion of post-op atelectasis in this patient?
a. Decreased tactile and vocal fremitus
b. Hyperresonant percussion note
c. Bronchial breath sounds
d. Wheezes

C
Chest assessment findings in atelectasis include: increased tactile and vocal fremitus, dull percussion note, bronchial breath sounds, diminished breath sounds (common when atelectasis is caused by mucous plugs), and crackles (usually heard initially in the dependent lung regions and during late inspiration). Wheezing would not be expected.