A 58-year-old man with chronic liver disease secondary to hepatitis C presents with increasing abdominal distension. Examination shows shifting dullne...

Question

A 58-year-old man with chronic liver disease secondary to hepatitis C presents with increasing abdominal distension. Examination shows shifting dullness. He is haemodynamically stable. According to cirrhosis management guidelines, which investigation is most important at the time of diagnostic paracentesis?

Accepted Answer

Ascitic fluid albumin, total protein and culture for bacterial infection

Answer

Ascitic fluid amylase

Answer

Ascitic fluid LDH only

Answer

Routine ascitic fluid cytology for malignancy in all cases

Answer

No laboratory tests; paracentesis is purely therapeutic

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Cirrhotic ascites