Under what condition would tactile fremitus be decreased?

Tactile fremitus refers to the vibrations felt on the chest wall when a patient speaks, which can be assessed during a physical examination. The presence of fluid or air in the lungs, as indicated in the correct response, can disrupt the transmission of these vibrations. Specifically, when there is accumulation of fluid, such as in pleural effusion, or air, such as in pneumothorax, it creates a barrier between the lung tissue and the chest wall. This results in decreased tactile fremitus because the consolidation that typically enhances these vibrations is absent, making it harder to palpate the vibrations.

In the context of healthy lung conditions, we would expect to feel normal fremitus rather than a decrease. Deep breathing exercises usually enhance lung expansion and can increase fremitus due to better air movement through the lung fields. Similarly, when a patient is at rest, it does not inherently cause a decrease in tactile fremitus; rather, it is the underlying condition causing fluid or air accumulation that primarily influences tactile fremitus readings.