Which finding during a physical assessment suggests an obstructive lung disorder?

A prolonged expiration is a key finding that suggests an obstructive lung disorder. In conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), airflow is typically impeded during expiration due to narrowed airways, inflammation, or mucus buildup. This leads to an extended time required to exhale all the air, resulting in a longer expiratory phase compared to the inspiratory phase.

In contrast, normal peak flow measurements, symmetrical lung sounds, and increased lung volumes do not indicate an obstructive pattern. Normal peak flow suggests that there are no significant obstructions in airflow. Symmetrical lung sounds can indicate healthy lung function and even lung inflation, whereas increased lung volumes can be characteristic of restrictive lung diseases or can occur in conditions like emphysema, which complicate the overall assessment of lung function. Therefore, prolonged expiration stands out as the definitive indicator of an obstructive lung disorder.