A 62-Year-Old Man Comes to the Emergency Department Due to a 2-Week

A 62-year-old man comes to the emergency department due to a 2-week history of worsening shortness of breath.  The patient reports feeling dyspneic while lying flat and has been sleeping upright in his recliner.  Temperature is 36.7 C (98.1 F) , blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, pulse is 88/min, and respirations are 20/min.  On physical examination, jugular venous distension is present.  Heart sounds are normal.  Decreased breath sounds and dullness to percussion can be heard at the bilateral bases.  Pitting edema is present in the bilateral lower extremities.  Chest x-ray shows cardiomegaly and bilateral pleural effusions.  Serum protein is 6 g/dL and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is 60 U/L.  Which of the following sets of pleural fluid findings is most likely to be seen in this patient?

A) A
B) B
C) C
D) D
E) E

Correct Answer:

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