(+/-) Cyanosis, indicating severe hypoxia
(+/-) tripod position
(+/-) Tachypnea based on size of effusion
(+/-) Accessory muscle use depending on severity of pleural effusion
Chest expansion decreased on affected side
Tracheal deviation away from affected side
Decreased tactile fremitus
Dullness to percussion
Pulse: tachycardia: HR>100
Respiratory rate: Tachypnea, >20 BPM
Decreased Oxygen saturation: <95%
Temperature: Pyrexia >100.4°F
BP: (+/-) elevated due to pain, can also be decreased due to underlying cause
Egophony: "E" sounds more like an "A"
Whispered pectoriloquy: Whispered "1,2,3" is intelligible
Bronchophony shows abnormal vocal resonance
Decreased breath sounds over the effusion
Pleural friction/rubbing
Bronchial breath sounds heard over area of effusion