Question

An adult patient with suspected pleural effusion has a diagnostic pleural aspiration. The fluid protein is 35 g/L. Which criterion suggests this is an exudate rather than a transudate

Accepted Answer

Light's criteria fluid protein-to-serum protein ratio >0.5

Answer

Serum-ascites albumin gradient <11 g/L

Answer

Fluid-to-serum protein ratio <0.5

Answer

Light's criteria fluid LDH <200 IU/L

Answer

Serum LDH < upper limit of normal

Practice question

An adult patient with suspected pleural effusion has a diagnostic pleural aspiration. The fluid protein is 35 g/L. Which criterion suggests this is an exudate rather than a transudate