Pleural Effusion and Pleural Layers

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What is a potential cause of increased fluid entry into the pleural space due to increased microvascular pressure?

Radiation injury

Diaphragm paralysis

Hypoalbuminemia

Pulmonary embolism (correct)

Which of the following is a potential cause of decreased fluid exit from the pleural space due to intrinsic factors?

Atelectasis

Pleural malignancy

Pulmonary infarction

Hypothyroidism (correct)

What is a potential consequence of decreased plasma osmotic pressure on pleural fluid dynamics?

Decreased fluid entry into the pleural space

Increased fluid exit from the pleural space

No effect on pleural fluid dynamics

Increased fluid entry into the pleural space (correct)

Which of the following is an extrinsic factor that can inhibit lymphatic function and decrease fluid exit from the pleural space?

Diaphragm paralysis Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential effect of an isolated decrease in exit rate on pleural fluid dynamics, unless large and sustained?

Unlikely to cause a clinically significant effusion Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential cause of increased permeability leading to increased fluid entry into the pleural space?

Inflammation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the parietal and visceral pleura in terms of blood supply?

The parietal pleura receives blood from the systemic circulation, while the visceral pleura receives blood from the pulmonary circulation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the lymphatic stomata in the parietal pleura?

To allow the exit of pleural fluid from the pleural space Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical amount of fluid in the pleural space?

5-10 mL Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the parietal pleura?

It contains sensory nerves Signup and view all the answers

What is the condition in which there is a steady state in which there is a roughly equal rate of formation and absorption of liquid?

Normal pleural space Signup and view all the answers

What is required to generate a pleural effusion?

An increase in the entry rate and/or a reduction in the exit rate of pleural fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential cause of decreased lymphatic flow?

Increased systemic venous pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is a common indication for therapeutic thoracentesis?

Pleural effusions due to post-primary or reactivation tuberculosis Signup and view all the answers

What is a contraindication to thoracentesis?

Insufficient pleural fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of diagnostic thoracentesis?

To determine the nature of the effusion and identify potential causes Signup and view all the answers

What is a complication of pleural effusions that may indicate therapeutic thoracentesis?

Pleural loculations Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible outcome of mechanical compression of lymphatics?

Pleural effusions Signup and view all the answers