The nurse is performing a physical assessment of the anterior thorax of a patient who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd). the nurse observes a grunting sound. what could be the possible reason for this?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD are usually diagnosed in patients with history of cigarette smoking; and presents with productive cough and difficulty of breathing. The grunting sound that is heard over the lung fields are called "rhonchi" which result from the narrowing of the airways. There are two components of COPD, namely emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Usually, pulmonary function tests such as spirometry are used to diagnose COPD.