Which of the following is a common symptom heard in pneumonia?

In pneumonia, the presence of abnormal lung sounds is a key part of the clinical assessment, and crackles (also known as rales) and rhonchi are frequently heard during auscultation of the lungs. Crackles are indicative of fluid in the airways or alveoli, which is often the result of the inflammatory process and fluid accumulation that occurs in pneumonia. Rhonchi, on the other hand, are caused by the obstruction of larger airways due to mucus or other secretions, also common in pneumonia.

The presence of these sounds is important because they help healthcare providers assess the severity of the illness and monitor the effectiveness of treatment. Identifying these sounds can aid in distinguishing pneumonia from other respiratory conditions. Therefore, crackles and rhonchi being commonly heard in patients with pneumonia aligns with the pathophysiological changes that occur in the lungs due to infection and inflammation.