Chest imaging: 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 imaging

Sample item

Which chest radiograph sign is commonly associated with a moderate pleural effusion?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Blunting of the costophrenic angle

Free pleural fluid collects dependently and can blunt the costophrenic angle on an erect film; larger effusions may form a meniscus and obscure adjacent hemidiaphragm or cardiac border.

Option by option

  • A. Blunting of the costophrenic angle (correct)

    Correct: dependent pleural fluid commonly blunts the costophrenic angle.

  • B. Diffuse rib sclerosis

    Rib sclerosis is a bony finding unrelated to pleural fluid.

  • C. Bilateral hilar calcification only

    Hilar calcification has other causes and does not define an effusion.

  • D. A lucent line around the heart

    A lucent line around the heart may suggest pneumopericardium.

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, Blunting of the costophrenic angle. Free pleural fluid collects dependently and can blunt the costophrenic angle on an erect film; larger effusions may form a meniscus and obscure adjacent hemidiaphragm or cardiac border.

Why is "Diffuse rib sclerosis" not the answer?

Rib sclerosis is a bony finding unrelated to pleural fluid.

Why is "Bilateral hilar calcification only" not the answer?

Hilar calcification has other causes and does not define an effusion.

Why is "A lucent line around the heart" not the answer?

A lucent line around the heart may suggest pneumopericardium.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging in Radiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: dependent pleural fluid commonly 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 imaging?

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.