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

Exercise 36

A pleural fluid pH of 6.0 indicates:

A. Esophageal rupture

B. Mesothelioma

C. Malignancy

D. Rheumatoid effusion

Step 1 of 2

Pleural fluid pH:

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

• The pH level of pleural fluid less than “7.2” indicates the chest-tube drainage requirement

o In acidosis case, the pH level of pleural fluid must be compared with the pH level of blood

• The pH level of pleural fluid at least “0.30” degrees lesser than the pH level of blood is considered as more important

o The pH level of pleural fluid “6.0” indicates an “esophageal rupture”, which allows the entry of gastric fluid.

Therefore, a pleural fluid pH of “6.0” indicates “esophageal rupture”. Hence, the correct answer is option.