Assessment of Pleural effusion: Video, Anatomy, Definition & Function | Osmosis

Question

A 60-year-old man comes to the emergency department because of progressive shortness of breath and chest pain for the past three weeks. Medical history includes type II diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and a myocardial infarction six years ago. Temperature is 37.1&#176;C (98.9&#176;F), pulse is 80/min, blood pressure is 135/87 mmHg, and respirations are 20/min. Physical examination reveals 2+ pitting edema in the bilateral lower extremities. Respiratory examination is notable for dullness to percussion and decreased breath sounds at the bilateral lung bases. Cardiac auscultation reveals a heart sound occurring immediately after the S2 sound. A chest x-ray is obtained and shows blunting of the costophrenic angles bilaterally. The patient&#8217;s serum protein level is 7 g/dL, and serum lactate dehydrogenase is 280 U/L. If a thoracentesis were performed, which of the following laboratory findings would most likely be present in this patient&#8217;s pleural fluid? &#160;

Accepted Answer

pH of 7.50

Answer

Elevated amylase levels

Answer

High triglyceride levels &#160;

Answer

Protein level of 5 g/L

Answer

Lactate dehydrogenase level of 250 U/L &#160;

Answer

Glucose level < 60 mg/dL

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Pleural effusion

Pathology

Respiratory system