Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 26

An additional test performed on pleural fluid to classify the fluid as a transudate or exudate is the:

A. WBC count

B. RBC count

C. Fluid:cholesterol ratio

D. Fluid-to-serum protein gradient

Step 1 of 2

Pleural fluid:

The pleural fluid is found in pleural cavity. The pleural cavity is located between parietal pleural membrane and visceral pleural membrane. Parietal plural membrane covers the chest wall and visceral pleural membrane covers the lungs.

• Generally, the fluids for laboratory tests are collected by the corresponding aspiration from the respective cavities

o The pleural fluid is gathered by “thoracentesis” aspiration

• The effusions in fluid may be “transudate” or “exudate”

• When analyzing pleural fluid, following additional test procedures help to identify the fluid as “transudate” or “exudates”

o Ratio among fluid and serum cholesterol (That is, fluid: serum cholesterol)

o Ration among pleural fluid, and serum total bilirubin (That is, fluid: serum total bilirubin)

Therefore, additional test carried out on pleural fluid to identify the fluid is “transudate” or “exudates” is “fluid: serum cholesterol”. Hence, the correct answer is option.