Which of the following breath sounds might you expect in a patient with cystic fibrosis?

In patients with cystic fibrosis, the correct choice of diminished, crackles, and wheezing is expected due to the nature of the disease. Cystic fibrosis leads to the accumulation of thick, sticky mucus in the airways, which can obstruct airflow and create an environment conducive to bacterial infections.

Diminished breath sounds indicate that airflow is reduced in certain areas of the lungs, often due to obstruction by mucus. Crackles, or rales, are heard when air moves through secretions or fluid in the airways, a common scenario in cystic fibrosis where the lungs are filled with mucus. Wheezing occurs due to the narrowing of the airways, often as a direct result of inflammation and bronchoconstriction associated with the disease. As patients struggle to expel the thick mucus, the airflow is further compromised, resulting in these characteristic breath sounds.

The other options don't accurately reflect the pulmonary complications associated with cystic fibrosis. For instance, vesicular and clear sounds are typically associated with healthy lung tissue and would not be expected in a patient with such pathology. Stridor and pleural rubs suggest upper airway obstruction or pleural inflammation, which are not typical findings in cystic fibrosis. Therefore, the presentation of diminished breath sounds