Which of the following statement about ascites is true?: (A) Hemorrhagic ascites is diagnosed when RBC count > 1,000/mm3, (B) Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is diagnosed when neutrophil count > 500/mm3, (C) Large volume paracentesis is indicated in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, (D) USG can detect as little as 100 mL of peritoneal fluid
Answer is D. The diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is made when the fluid sample has an absolute neutrophil count >250/mL.Treatment is with a second-generation cephalosporin, with cefotaxime being the most commonly used antibiotic.Large volume paracentesis is not indicated in SBP.Hemorrhagic ascites was defined as an ascitic fluid red blood cell (RBC) count >=10,000/mm3Ref: Harrison's 18/e p2601