Question

A 68-year-old man with acute shortness of breath is found to have a large right-sided pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields an exudate with low glucose, high LDH, and pH <7.2. Which is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia (parapneumonic effusion)

Answer

Congestive cardiac failure

Answer

Nephrotic syndrome

Answer

Cirrhosis

Answer

Pulmonary embolism

Practice question

A 68-year-old man with acute shortness of breath is found to have a large right-sided pleural effusion. Thoracentesis yields an exudate with low glucose, high LDH, and pH <7.2. Which is the most likely cause?