Lymphatic fluid aspirated from pleural space is known as?

Appeared in: PGIMER NO - 2020

Explanation

Chylothorax is the medical term for the accumulation of chyle, a type of lymphatic fluid, in the pleural space.
Chyle is characteristically milky white because it contains a high concentration of emulsified fats (triglycerides) absorbed from the digestive system.
This condition most often results from disruption or obstruction of the thoracic duct, the body's main lymphatic channel.
Common causes include trauma from chest surgery or injury, and tumors (like lymphoma) in the mediastinum.

Option A: Pneumothorax refers to the presence of air or gas in the pleural space, not lymphatic fluid. The prefix 'pneumo-' relates to air or lungs.
Option C: Hemothorax is the accumulation of blood in the pleural space. The prefix 'hemo-' relates to blood.
Option D: Pleurisy (or pleuritis) is the inflammation of the pleura (the linings of the lungs and chest). While it can cause a pleural effusion (fluid buildup), it is the inflammatory condition itself, not the specific type of fluid.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of specific types of pleural space fluid accumulation as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in assessing patients with potential pleural effusions by monitoring for signs of respiratory distress, such as dyspnea, and noting decreased or absent breath sounds over the affected area.
When a patient has a chest tube, the nurse must meticulously monitor the drainage. A milky, white appearance of the fluid is a key indicator of a chylothorax, which must be reported promptly.
Management of chylothorax often involves dietary changes to reduce fat intake, which decreases chyle production. Nurses are responsible for patient education and monitoring dietary compliance.

How to Approach the Question

First, break down the question to its essential components: 'lymphatic fluid' and 'pleural space'.
This is a medical terminology question. Analyze the prefixes and suffixes of the options to find the best match.
Evaluate 'Pneumothorax': 'Pneumo-' means air. This is incorrect.
Evaluate 'Hemothorax': 'Hemo-' means blood. This is incorrect.
Evaluate 'Pleurisy': The suffix '-isy' or '-itis' indicates inflammation. This describes a condition, not a substance. This is incorrect.
Evaluate 'Chylothorax': 'Chylo-' refers to chyle, which is lymphatic fluid from the digestive system. 'Thorax' refers to the chest. This option directly matches the question's description of lymphatic fluid in the pleural space.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of specific types of pleural space fluid accumulation.
Stem keywords: Lymphatic fluid, pleural space, aspirated
Lead-in keywords: known as

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 2 p. 174-176

E6 Pathology-Textbook of PATHOLOGYHarsh Mohan Part 2 (215-514) p. 77-79

Practise the full PGIMER NO - 2020

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.