Pleural Effusion Board Review Questions

Work through 20 board-style multiple-choice questions for internal medicine and emergency medicine residents. Choose one answer, check it, and read the explanation before moving on.

Question 1 of 200 correct

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A 68-year-old man with a pleural effusion undergoes diagnostic thoracentesis. Which single set of findings, by Light's criteria, classifies the fluid as an exudate?

APleural/serum protein ratio >0.5, OR pleural/serum LDH ratio >0.6, OR pleural LDH >2/3 the upper limit of normal serum LDHBPleural/serum protein ratio >0.6 AND pleural/serum LDH ratio >0.5CPleural protein >3.0 g/dL AND pleural glucose <60 mg/dLDPleural/serum albumin gradient <1.2 g/dL aloneEPleural LDH >200 IU/L only, with both ratios normal

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Use the explanations to identify weak concepts, then return to the PulmPEEPs pleural effusion episode in the listening list. Repeating the quiz later gives you a better retrieval check than rereading every answer immediately.

Open the pulmonary listening section
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A 68-year-old man with a pleural effusion undergoes diagnostic thoracentesis. Which single set of findings, by Light's criteria, classifies the fluid as an exudate?

Review the topic, then try again

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