Which of the following is a common assessment finding in patients with pneumonia?

Crackles, also known as rales, are a common assessment finding in patients with pneumonia due to the presence of fluid in the alveoli and the associated inflammation that occurs during the infection. During auscultation, the crackling sounds indicate that there are abnormal lung sounds resulting from the movement of air through fluid-filled airways. This is characteristic of pneumonia, as the disease process leads to consolidated lung tissue and resultant airway obstruction.

In contrast, wheezing, while it may be present in some cases of pneumonia, is not typically a hallmark of the condition. Decreased respiratory rate is generally not seen in pneumonia; often patients exhibit an increased respiratory rate due to hypoxia or respiratory distress. Clear lung sounds would indicate healthy lung function and are not expected in a pneumonia case where abnormal lung sounds are prevalent due to infection. Therefore, crackles or rales are the most direct and common indicator of pneumonia during lung assessment.