What sound would be expected during chest percussion of a patient having an asthma exacerbation?

During chest percussion in a patient experiencing an asthma exacerbation, a hyperresonant or tympanic note would be expected. This is due to the presence of air trapping in the lungs, which is a hallmark of asthma exacerbation. During an acute asthma episode, the bronchoconstriction and inflammation can lead to an increase in the amount of air that gets trapped within the alveoli.

As percussion is performed, the hyperresonance is a reflection of this excess air in the lung fields, producing a sound that is lower in pitch and greater in resonance than normal lung tissue, which would typically generate a more muted sound when percussed. This sound indicates that there is less solid tissue (like that of the lung parenchyma) and more air in those areas. A tympanic note can also suggest conditions with increased lung volume due to trapped air, which aligns well with the pathophysiology observed in asthma during an exacerbation.

Normal resonance would suggest that the lung fields are healthy and well-aerated, which contrasts sharply with the observable changes during an exacerbation. A dull note often indicates fluid or solid mass in the lungs, while a flat note could suggest significant lung consolidation or pleural effusion, both