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Hyperinflation in COPD comes from air trapping due to obstructed airways. This leads to increased lung volumes and a barrel-shaped chest from chronically expanded lungs. Because exhalation is impeded, expiration becomes prolonged, and the movement of air is reduced, so breath sounds are diminished. These three findings together—prolonged expiration, decreased breath sounds, and a barrel-shaped chest—best demonstrate hyperinflation caused by COPD. In contrast, dull percussion suggests something like fluid or consolidation, and normal findings would not indicate hyperinflation.