HESI (Health and Environmental Sciences Institute) Health Assessment Practice Test

The correct response is linked to the phenomenon known as tactile fremitus. This occurs when vibrations produced in the larynx travel through the bronchial tree and reach the chest wall. When a healthcare provider places their hands on a patient's chest while the patient vocalizes, these vibrations can be felt, revealing the transmission of sound from voice to the chest. Tactile fremitus is an important assessment tool in clinical practice, helping to identify abnormalities in the lungs or pleural space.

In this context, the other options refer to different concepts. Inspiratory stridor denotes a high-pitched sound during inhalation often associated with airway obstruction but does not relate to the vibrations felt through the chest wall. Adventitious sounds encompass abnormal lung sounds like wheezes or crackles heard during auscultation; they are primarily auditory phenomena and not related to tactile sensations. Bronchial auscultation refers to the listening of breath sounds in the bronchial areas, another auditory evaluation method, which again does not capture the tactile nature involved in tactile fremitus. Understanding tactile fremitus is essential for assessing respiratory health effectively.