Chest radiography: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Chest radiography

Sample item

What finding suggests pleural effusion on an erect chest radiograph?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Blunted costophrenic angle

Pleural fluid layers dependently and commonly blunts the costophrenic angle, with larger effusions showing a meniscus along the lateral chest wall.

Option by option

  • A. Blunted costophrenic angle (correct)

    Correct: pleural fluid blunts the costophrenic angle.

  • B. Visible pleural line

    A visible pleural line suggests pneumothorax.

  • C. Rib notching

    Rib notching has other vascular or congenital associations.

  • D. Hyperlucent apex

    Hyperlucent apex may suggest air rather than fluid.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Radiology questions

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Blunted costophrenic angle. Pleural fluid layers dependently and commonly blunts the costophrenic angle, with larger effusions showing a meniscus along the lateral chest wall.

Why is "Visible pleural line" not the answer?

A visible pleural line suggests pneumothorax.

Why is "Rib notching" not the answer?

Rib notching has other vascular or congenital associations.

Why is "Hyperlucent apex" not the answer?

Hyperlucent apex may suggest air rather than fluid.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest radiography in Radiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: pleural fluid blunts the costophrenic angle.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Chest radiography?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.