A 60 year old with a history of cirrhosis presents with dyspnea, impaired ventilation, and pleural pain.A diagnosis of pleural effusion is made, and a watery fluid is drained.When giving report, the nurse will refer to this fluid as:
A) exudative.
B) purulent.
C) infected.
D) transudative.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fluid is described as watery, which is characteristic of a transudative pleural effusion, often associated with conditions like cirrhosis, where fluid leaks due to imbalances in hydrostatic and oncotic pressures.

A 60 Year Old with a History of Cirrhosis Presents