Pleural effusion vs pneumonia

[direw0lf, BSN]

I had a question that says you examine a pt and note increased rr, chest expansion decreased on left side, dull to percussion over left lower lobe, and crackles over left lower lobe. The answer for what is consistent with these findings is lobar pneumonia. One other answer choice was pleural effusion. By the info given how is it determined lobar pneumonia? I'd think that pleural effusion would have all those same findings? This was a practice question, midterm tmw. Thank you!!

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Pneumonia is fluid in the lungs (hence the hearing of crackles). Pleural effusion is buildup of fluid around the lungs in the pleural space. If it was pleural effusion, you would hear the pleural friction rub.

ETA: Ugh, I'm a stickler for grammar and clarity, and I have no idea why I had missed some words in my OP.

[direw0lf, BSN]

Pneumonia is fluid in the lungs (hence rhe hearing of crackles). Pleural effusion is buildup of fluid around the lungs in the pleural space. If it was pleural effusion, you were the pleural friction rub.

Thank you! I didn't understand fluid all surrounding.