Pleural Effusion: 50 MCQs For Govt Exam Practice | SSC, UPSC, AIIMS | BSc Radiology, BXRT

Here are 20 multiple choice questions (MCQs) on the topic of Pleural Effusion:




1. What is pleural effusion?

   A) Accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity

   B) Collection of fluid within the pleural space

   C) Inflammation of the pleura

   D) Constriction of the bronchi


   Answer: B) Collection of fluid within the pleural space


2. Which of the following is not a common symptom of pleural effusion?

   A) Chest pain

   B) Shortness of breath

   C) Dry cough

   D) Fever


   Answer: C) Dry cough


3. Which imaging technique is commonly used to diagnose pleural effusion?

   A) Electrocardiogram (ECG)

   B) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

   C) Computed tomography (CT) scan

   D) Ultrasound


   Answer: D) Ultrasound


4. Which condition is NOT commonly associated with pleural effusion?

   A) Congestive heart failure

   B) Pneumonia

   C) Liver cirrhosis

   D) Pulmonary embolism


   Answer: D) Pulmonary embolism


5. Transudative pleural effusions are typically caused by:

   A) Infection

   B) Malignancy

   C) Congestive heart failure

   D) Trauma


   Answer: C) Congestive heart failure


6. Which of the following is not a potential complication of pleural effusion?

   A) Empyema

   B) Atelectasis

   C) Pleurisy

   D) Hypertension


   Answer: D) Hypertension


7. Which diagnostic test can differentiate between transudative and exudative pleural effusions?

   A) Complete blood count (CBC)

   B) Pleural fluid analysis

   C) Chest X-ray

   D) Pulmonary function test


   Answer: B) Pleural fluid analysis


8. What is the most common cause of exudative pleural effusion?

   A) Congestive heart failure

   B) Bacterial pneumonia

   C) Pulmonary embolism

   D) Lung cancer


   Answer: B) Bacterial pneumonia


9. Which of the following is NOT a typical treatment option for pleural effusion?

   A) Thoracentesis

   B) Pleurodesis

   C) Antibiotics

   D) Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)


   Answer: D) Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)


10. Which type of pleural effusion is associated with a higher protein content?

    A) Transudative

    B) Exudative

    C) Parapneumonic

    D) Chylous


    Answer: B) Exudative


11. Which condition involves the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the pleural space?

    A) Chylothorax

    B) Empyema

    C) Hemothorax

    D) Pneumothorax


    Answer: A) Chylothorax


12. Which imaging modality is useful for guiding thoracentesis?

    A) MRI

    B) PET scan

    C) Ultrasound

    D) X-ray


    Answer: C) Ultrasound


13. Which type of pleural effusion is commonly associated with tuberculosis?

    A) Transudative

    B) Exudative

    C) Chylothorax

    D) Parapneumonic


    Answer: D) Parapneumonic


14. Which condition involves the presence of pus in the pleural cavity?

    A) Empyema

    B) Hemothorax

    C) Pneumothorax

    D) Pleurisy


    Answer: A) Empyema


15. Which medication class is often prescribed to manage pleural effusion associated with heart failure?

    A) Antibiotics

    B) Diuretics

    C) Anticoagulants

    D) Corticosteroids


    Answer: B) Diuretics


16. Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for developing pleural effusion?

    A) Smoking

    B) Obesity

    C) Regular exercise

    D) Age


    Answer: C) Regular exercise


17. What is the typical appearance of pleural effusion on a chest X-ray?

    A) Increased lung markings

    B) Air-fluid level

    C) Consolidation

    D) Normal findings


    Answer: B) Air-fluid level


18. Which of the following is a potential cause of chylothorax?

    A) Trauma

    B) Congestive heart failure

    C) Liver cirrhosis

    D) Pulmonary embolism


    Answer: A) Trauma


19. Which procedure involves the instillation of a sclerosing agent into the pleural space to prevent recurrence of pleural effusion?

    A) Thoracentesis

    B) Pleurodesis

    C) Bronchoscopy

    D) Pulmonary function test


    Answer: B) Pleurodesis


20. Which laboratory finding is consistent with exudative pleural effusion?

    A) Pleural fluid protein/serum protein ratio < 0.5

    B) Pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 200 IU/L

    C) Pleural fluid glucose < 60 mg/dL

    D) Pleural fluid pH > 7.45


    Answer: B) Pleural fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 200 IU/L


21. What is the most common symptom of pleural effusion?

    A) Chest pain

    B) Shortness of breath

    C) Coughing up blood

    D) Fatigue


    Answer: B) Shortness of breath


22. Which type of pleural effusion is characterized by the presence of blood in the pleural space?

    A) Transudative

    B) Exudative

    C) Hemothorax

    D) Chylothorax


    Answer: C) Hemothorax


23. Which medical condition is associated with the development of transudative pleural effusion?

    A) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

    B) Rheumatoid arthritis

    C) Nephrotic syndrome

    D) Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)


    Answer: C) Nephrotic syndrome


24. What is the primary function of the pleural fluid?

    A) Lubrication of the pleural surfaces

    B) Facilitation of gas exchange

    C) Prevention of infection

    D) Regulation of blood pressure


    Answer: A) Lubrication of the pleural surfaces


25. Which imaging technique provides real-time visualization of the pleural space during thoracentesis?

    A) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

    B) Computed tomography (CT) scan

    C) Ultrasound

    D) X-ray


    Answer: C) Ultrasound


26. Which of the following is NOT a potential cause of exudative pleural effusion?

    A) Pulmonary embolism

    B) Tuberculosis

    C) Pancreatitis

    D) Hypothyroidism


    Answer: D) Hypothyroidism


27. Which pleural effusion is characterized by the presence of milky-white fluid rich in triglycerides?

    A) Transudative

    B) Exudative

    C) Empyema

    D) Chylothorax


    Answer: D) Chylothorax


28. What is the gold standard diagnostic test for pleural effusion?

    A) Chest X-ray

    B) Thoracentesis

    C) Pleural fluid analysis

    D) Pulmonary function test


    Answer: C) Pleural fluid analysis


29. What is the mainstay of treatment for empyema?

    A) Antibiotics

    B) Thoracentesis

    C) Pleurodesis

    D) Bronchodilators


    Answer: A) Antibiotics


30. Which type of pleural effusion is commonly seen in patients with liver cirrhosis?

    A) Transudative

    B) Exudative

    C) Empyema

    D) Chylothorax


    Answer: A) Transudative


31. Which of the following is a characteristic finding in the pleural fluid of patients with parapneumonic effusion?

    A) Low pH

    B) High glucose level

    C) Decreased white blood cell count

    D) Presence of lymphocytes


    Answer: A) Low pH


32. Which lung condition is NOT typically associated with pleural effusion?

    A) Lung cancer

    B) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

    C) Asthma

    D) Pulmonary fibrosis


    Answer: C) Asthma


33. Which procedure involves the insertion of a chest tube to drain pleural fluid?

    A) Thoracentesis

    B) Bronchoscopy

    C) Pleurodesis

    D) Chest tube insertion


    Answer: D) Chest tube insertion


34. Which pleural effusion is commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis?

    A) Transudative

    B) Exudative

    C) Empyema

    D) Rheumatoid pleural effusion


    Answer: D) Rheumatoid pleural effusion


35. Which laboratory finding is consistent with transudative pleural effusion?

    A) High lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level

    B) Low protein level

    C) Elevated white blood cell count

    D) Decreased pH


    Answer: B) Low protein level


36. Which condition involves the accumulation of air in the pleural space?

    A) Pneumonia

    B) Pneumothorax

    C) Pleurisy

    D) Pleural fibrosis


    Answer: B) Pneumothorax


37. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of chylothorax?

    A) Milky-white appearance of pleural fluid

    B) Dyspnea

    C) Chest pain

    D) Weight loss


    Answer: C) Chest pain


38. What is the primary goal of pleurodesis?

    A) To drain pleural fluid

    B) To prevent recurrence of pleural effusion

    C) To treat underlying infection

    D) To relieve chest pain


    Answer: B) To prevent recurrence of pleural effusion


39. Which condition involves the accumulation of pus and fibrin in the pleural space?

    A) Hemothorax

    B) Chylothorax

    C) Empyema

    D) Pneumothorax


    Answer: C) Empyema


40. Which of the following imaging modalities can detect small pleural effusions that may be missed on a chest X-ray?

    A) CT scan

    B) MRI

    C) PET scan

    D) Ultrasound


    Answer: D) Ultrasound


41. Which physical examination finding is characteristic of pleural effusion?

    A) Hyperresonance to percussion

    B) Decreased tactile fremitus

    C) Egophony

    D) Inspiratory crackles


    Answer: B) Decreased tactile fremitus


42. Which of the following conditions is NOT a common cause of transudative pleural effusion?

    A) Nephrotic syndrome

    B) Congestive heart failure

    C) Cirrhosis

    D) Bacterial pneumonia


    Answer: D) Bacterial pneumonia


43. Which medication is commonly used to relieve dyspnea in patients with pleural effusion?

    A) Beta-blockers

    B) Narcotics

    C) Bronchodilators

    D) Anticoagulants


    Answer: B) Narcotics


44. What is the primary purpose of evaluating pleural fluid pH in pleural effusion?

    A) To identify the presence of infection

    B) To differentiate between transudative and exudative effusions

    C) To assess for the risk of pleural complications

    D) To monitor response to treatment


    Answer: C) To assess for the risk of pleural complications


45. Which of the following conditions is commonly associated with bilateral pleural effusion?

    A) Lung cancer

    B) Pulmonary embolism

    C) Rheumatoid arthritis

    D) Pneumothorax


    Answer: B) Pulmonary embolism


46. What is the typical appearance of pleural fluid on thoracentesis in a patient with empyema?

    A) Straw-colored

    B) Bloody

    C) Milky-white

    D) Purulent


    Answer: D) Purulent


47. Which radiological sign indicates the presence of pleural effusion on a lateral decubitus chest X-ray?

    A) Blunted costophrenic angles

    B) Meniscus sign

    C) Hampton's hump

    D) Westermark's sign


    Answer: B) Meniscus sign


48. Which of the following is a common cause of exudative pleural effusion?

    A) Hypoalbuminemia

    B) Pancreatitis

    C) Renal failure

    D) Anasarca


    Answer: B) Pancreatitis


49. Which imaging study is most useful for evaluating pleural thickening and pleural nodules?

    A) Chest X-ray

    B) MRI

    C) PET scan

    D) CT scan


    Answer: D) CT scan


50. What is the primary mechanism by which pleurodesis prevents recurrence of pleural effusion?

    A) Inducing pleural inflammation and fibrosis

    B) Removing accumulated pleural fluid

    C) Promoting lymphatic drainage

    D) Inhibiting pleural fluid production


    Answer: A) Inducing pleural inflammation and fibrosis

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