Question 1

While reviewing an upright chest radiograph of a patient with a pleural effusion, the respiratory therapist observes a fluid density in the right lung area that extends upward around the anterior, lateral, and posterior thoracic walls. What is this characteristic sign called?

Accepted Answer

A)   Meniscus sign
B)   Scarf sign
C)   Transudate sign
D)   Kerley B linesE) None of the above
F) All of the above

Question 2

Which of the following are chest radiograph findings associated with a large pleural effusion?
1)  Blunting of the costophrenic angle
2)  Fluid level on the affected side
3)  Mediastinal shift toward the unaffected side
4)  Elevated hemidiaphragm on the affected side

Accepted Answer

A)   1, 3
B)   2, 4
C)   1, 2, 4
D)   1, 2, 3E) B) and C)
F) B) and D)

Question 3

A patient has a pleural effusion from an unknown cause. A fluid sample has been taken for analysis. To help identify the cause of the effusion, all of the following tests should be performed EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   specific gravity.
B)   biochemical makeup.
C)   cytologic examination.
D)   bacterial culture.E) A) and D)
F) A) and B) A

Question 4

What is the most common cause of a chylothorax?

Accepted Answer

A)   Thoracic duct trauma
B)   Abdominal tumor
C)   GERD
D)   Pyloric stenosisE) A) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 5

During a chest assessment on a patient with a large pleural effusion, which of the following would be expected?
1)  Increased tactile and vocal fremitus
2)  Hyperresonant percussion note
3)  Diminished breath sounds
4)  Tracheal shift

Accepted Answer

A)   1
B)   1, 2
C)   3, 4
D)   1, 3, 4E) All of the above
F) A) and B)

Question 6

Treatment of an empyema usually includes:

Accepted Answer

A)   pleurodesis.
B)   thoracostomy tube insertion.
C)   lobectomy.
D)   pneumonectomy.E) B) and C)
F) A) and C) B

Question 7

An adult patient with a large pleural effusion requires placement of a thoracostomy tube. Which of the following statements are true regarding thoracostomy tube placement?
1)  The tube is placed in the 2nd to 3rd intercostal space.
2)  The tube is placed in the 4th to 5th intercostal space.
3)  The tube is placed in the midclavicular line.
4)  The tube is placed in the midaxillary line.

Accepted Answer

A)   1, 4
B)   2, 3
C)   1, 3
D)   2, 4E) C) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 8

A patient has malignant mesothelioma related to chronic asbestos exposure. What would his pleural effusion fluid likely show on laboratory analysis?
1)  Erythrocytes
2)  Lymphocytes
3)  Normal mesothelial cells
4)  Malignant mesothelial cells

Accepted Answer

A)   1, 4
B)   2, 3
C)   2, 3, 4
D)   1, 2, 3, 4E) B) and C)
F) A) and B) C

Question 9

In the absence of surgery or trauma, what does the presence of blood in the pleural fluid most likely signify?

Accepted Answer

A)   Malignant disease
B)   Fungal disease
C)   Chylothorax
D)   TuberculosisE) All of the above
F) A) and D)

Question 10

What percentage of patients with bacterial pneumonia are likely to develop pleural effusion?

Accepted Answer

A)   Up to 10%
B)   Up to 20%
C)   Up to 30%
D)   Up to 40%E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 11

The anatomic alteration caused by a pleural effusion is:

Accepted Answer

A)   pulmonary fibrosis.
B)   separation of the visceral and parietal pleura.
C)   adhesion of the visceral and parietal pleura.
D)   pulmonary edema.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 12

Which of the following are associated with a transudative pleural effusion?
1)  Thin and watery fluid
2)  Fluid has a lot of cellular debris
3)  Fluid has high protein count
4)  Few blood cells

Accepted Answer

A)   2, 3
B)   1, 4
C)   1, 2, 3
D)   1, 3, 4E) All of the above
F) A) and C)

Question 13

The major pathologic and structural changes associated with a significant pleural effusion include all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   diaphragm elevation.
B)   atelectasis.
C)   compression of the great vessels.
D)   lung compression.E) C) and D)
F) B) and D)

Question 14

A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician who is performing a thoracentesis. It is suspected that the patient has a chylothorax. How would the pleural effusion be described?

Accepted Answer

A)   Milky white
B)   Straw colored
C)   Red
D)   GreenE) B) and D)
F) B) and C)

Exam 24: Pleural Effusion and Empyema

While reviewing an upright chest radiograph of a patient with a pleural effusion, the respiratory therapist observes a fluid density in the right lung area that extends upward around the anterior, lateral, and posterior thoracic walls. What is this characteristic sign called?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following are chest radiograph findings associated with a large pleural effusion? 1) Blunting of the costophrenic angle 2) Fluid level on the affected side 3) Mediastinal shift toward the unaffected side 4) Elevated hemidiaphragm on the affected side

Correct Answer
verified

A patient has a pleural effusion from an unknown cause. A fluid sample has been taken for analysis. To help identify the cause of the effusion, all of the following tests should be performed EXCEPT:

Correct Answer
verified
A

What is the most common cause of a chylothorax?

Correct Answer
verified

During a chest assessment on a patient with a large pleural effusion, which of the following would be expected? 1) Increased tactile and vocal fremitus 2) Hyperresonant percussion note 3) Diminished breath sounds 4) Tracheal shift

Correct Answer
verified

Treatment of an empyema usually includes:

Correct Answer
verified
B

Correct Answer
verified

A patient has malignant mesothelioma related to chronic asbestos exposure. What would his pleural effusion fluid likely show on laboratory analysis? 1) Erythrocytes 2) Lymphocytes 3) Normal mesothelial cells 4) Malignant mesothelial cells

Correct Answer
verified
C

In the absence of surgery or trauma, what does the presence of blood in the pleural fluid most likely signify?

Correct Answer
verified

What percentage of patients with bacterial pneumonia are likely to develop pleural effusion?

Correct Answer
verified

The anatomic alteration caused by a pleural effusion is:

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following are associated with a transudative pleural effusion? 1) Thin and watery fluid 2) Fluid has a lot of cellular debris 3) Fluid has high protein count 4) Few blood cells

Correct Answer
verified

The major pathologic and structural changes associated with a significant pleural effusion include all of the following EXCEPT:

Correct Answer
verified

A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician who is performing a thoracentesis. It is suspected that the patient has a chylothorax. How would the pleural effusion be described?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 24: Pleural Effusion and Empyema

While reviewing an upright chest radiograph of a patient with a pleural effusion, the respiratory therapist observes a fluid density in the right lung area that extends upward around the anterior, lateral, and posterior thoracic walls. What is this characteristic sign called?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following are chest radiograph findings associated with a large pleural effusion? 1) Blunting of the costophrenic angle 2) Fluid level on the affected side 3) Mediastinal shift toward the unaffected side 4) Elevated hemidiaphragm on the affected side

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A patient has a pleural effusion from an unknown cause. A fluid sample has been taken for analysis. To help identify the cause of the effusion, all of the following tests should be performed EXCEPT:

Correct AnswerverifiedA

What is the most common cause of a chylothorax?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

During a chest assessment on a patient with a large pleural effusion, which of the following would be expected? 1) Increased tactile and vocal fremitus 2) Hyperresonant percussion note 3) Diminished breath sounds 4) Tracheal shift

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Treatment of an empyema usually includes:

Correct AnswerverifiedB

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A patient has malignant mesothelioma related to chronic asbestos exposure. What would his pleural effusion fluid likely show on laboratory analysis? 1) Erythrocytes 2) Lymphocytes 3) Normal mesothelial cells 4) Malignant mesothelial cells

Correct AnswerverifiedC

In the absence of surgery or trauma, what does the presence of blood in the pleural fluid most likely signify?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What percentage of patients with bacterial pneumonia are likely to develop pleural effusion?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The anatomic alteration caused by a pleural effusion is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following are associated with a transudative pleural effusion? 1) Thin and watery fluid 2) Fluid has a lot of cellular debris 3) Fluid has high protein count 4) Few blood cells

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The major pathologic and structural changes associated with a significant pleural effusion include all of the following EXCEPT:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A respiratory therapist is assisting a physician who is performing a thoracentesis. It is suspected that the patient has a chylothorax. How would the pleural effusion be described?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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A

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B

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C

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