The nurse is assessing the symmetry of the client's chest. The nurse recognizes that a client's symmetric expansion of the chest is best confirmed by:

A. Wheezes:

Wheezes are continuous, high-pitched, whistling lung sounds that are heard especially during expiration and sometimes during inspiration. They are caused by the rapid movement of air through narrowed or constricted airways, which is common in conditions like asthma. Wheezing is a characteristic adventitious sound associated with asthma and other obstructive respiratory disorders.

B. Whispered Pectoriloquy:

Whispered Pectoriloquy is an increased loudness of whispering noted during auscultation with a stethoscope on the lung fields. This phenomenon occurs when sound is transmitted clearly through consolidated or compressed lung tissue, making whispered sounds more distinct. It is a sign of lung consolidation, often seen in conditions like pneumonia.

C. Bronchial Sounds:

Bronchial sounds are harsh, high-pitched sounds heard over the trachea and the large bronchi. These sounds are normally heard during expiration. If they are heard over peripheral lung areas, it can indicate consolidation or compression of lung tissue, possibly due to pneumonia or tumor.

D. Bronchophony:

Bronchophony is a phenomenon in which spoken sounds are heard more clearly and distinctly through the stethoscope on auscultation of the lungs. Normally, sounds are muffled during auscultation. Increased clarity of spoken sounds can indicate lung consolidation, similar to whispered pectoriloquy, and is often associated with conditions like pneumonia.

A. Percussion of the posterior chest: Percussion helps assess the underlying structures of the chest but does not directly confirm symmetric chest expansion.

B. Inspection of the shape and configuration of the chest wall: Inspection is a crucial part of assessing chest symmetry. Any deformities, asymmetry, or abnormalities in the shape and configuration of the chest wall can be visually identified.

C. Placing the palmar surface of the fingers of one hand against the chest and having the client repeat "ninety-nine": This technique, known as tactile fremitus, involves feeling for vibrations or tremors while the client repeats a phrase. While it can provide information about underlying lung conditions, it's not primarily used to confirm symmetric chest expansion.

D. Placing hands sideways on the posterolateral chest wall with thumbs pointing together at the level of T9 or T10: This technique, known as chest expansion measurement, is used to assess symmetric chest expansion. Placing hands in this manner allows the nurse to feel for bilateral chest expansion during inspiration, ensuring that both sides of the chest expand symmetrically.