Which of the following are signs of consolidation upon physical examination?

Consolidation refers to the filling of alveoli with fluid, pus, or solid material, often due to pneumonia or other pulmonary conditions. Upon physical examination, specific findings indicate consolidation in the lungs, with bronchial breath sounds and dullness to percussion being key indicators.

Bronchial breath sounds are normally heard over the trachea and larger airways; when these sounds are heard over peripheral lung regions, it typically indicates an area of consolidation. This occurs because the denser tissue in an area of consolidation conducts sound waves more effectively than normal lung tissue, which usually produces vesicular (softer) breath sounds.

Dullness to percussion is another sign of consolidation; it occurs because the fluid or solid material in the alveoli replaces the air that normally produces a resonant sound during percussion. A dull note on percussion suggests that there is a loss of air-filled space in the lungs, which further supports the presence of consolidation.

The other choices reflect findings that do not specifically indicate consolidation. For instance, rales and wheezing might be associated with airway obstruction or pulmonary edema but are not definitive signs of consolidation. Decreased tactile fremitus is more indicative of pleural effusion or pneumothorax rather than consolidation, while hyperreson