What is the earliest sign of a left-sided pleural effusion on an ...

[wrbasek0]

What is the earliest sign of a left-sided pleural effusion on an upright chest radiograph?
 
  a. An increased distance between the inferior margin of the left lung and the stomach gas bubble
  b. Inability to see small pulmonary blood vessels over the left lower lung
  c. A widened mediastinum
  d. Elevation of the right hemidiaphragm

Question 2

In which of the following would loculation of pleural fluid be as likely to occur? 1. Empyema 2. Exudative fluid 3. Hemothorax 4. Congestive heart failure
 
  a. 4 only
  b. 2 and 3 only
  c. 1, 2, and 4 only
  d. 1, 2, and 3 only

[lorealeza77]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The earliest sign of a left-sided pleural effusion on an upright chest radiograph is an increased distance between the inferior margin of the left lung and the stomach gas bubble.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Loculation of pleural fluid (or trapping so the fluid does not move freely with changing posi-tions) is more commonly seen in exudative effusions, hemothorax (blood in the pleural space), and empyema (infection of the pleural fluid).