Chest imaging: pleural effusion: 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: pleural effusion

Sample item

A patient has breathlessness and dullness at the right base, but an erect chest radiograph looks nearly normal. Which investigation best detects a small pleural effusion and guides safe aspiration?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Ultrasound of the chest

On an erect PA chest radiograph, blunting of the costophrenic angle needs about 200 mL or more of fluid. Ultrasound detects even small volumes, differentiates fluid from consolidation or thickening, shows septations, and allows real-time guidance of aspiration, which reduces complications. Lateral decubitus films and CT are alternatives.

Option by option

  • A. Plain abdominal film

    An abdominal film does not evaluate the pleural space.

  • B. Barium swallow

    A barium swallow evaluates the oesophagus.

  • C. Ultrasound of the chest (correct)

    Correct. Ultrasound is the most sensitive bedside tool and guides drainage.

  • D. Repeat erect PA radiograph at the same exposure

    Repeating the same film adds no new information.

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.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is C, Ultrasound of the chest. On an erect PA chest radiograph, blunting of the costophrenic angle needs about 200 mL or more of fluid.

Why is "Plain abdominal film" not the answer?

An abdominal film does not evaluate the pleural space.

Why is "Barium swallow" not the answer?

A barium swallow evaluates the oesophagus.

Why is "Repeat erect PA radiograph at the same exposure" not the answer?

Repeating the same film adds no new information.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chest imaging: pleural effusion in Radiology. Ultrasound detects even small volumes, differentiates fluid from consolidation or thickening, shows septations, and allows real-time guidance of aspiration, which reduces complications. Lateral decubitus films and CT are alternatives.

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: pleural effusion?

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.