What term describes collection of blood in the pleural cavity?

• A. Pleural Effusion
• B. Hemothorax
• C. Pneumonia
• D. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Answer: (B)

Blood collecting in the pleural cavity is called a hemothorax. It means blood has pooled in the pleural space, usually due to trauma, rib fractures, malignancy, or a coagulopathy, and can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and decreased breath sounds. This is different from a pleural effusion, which is any fluid in the pleural space (not necessarily blood) and can be serous, purulent, or other types of fluid. Pneumonia is an infection of lung tissue, presenting with cough and fever and infiltrates on imaging, while COPD is a chronic lung disease marked by airflow limitation. Recognizing the term hemothorax helps guide urgent assessment and management, such as imaging and chest tube placement if needed.