Which symptom cluster is commonly associated with empyema?

Which symptom cluster is commonly associated with empyema?

• A. Fever, pleuritic chest pain, chest heaviness, dyspnea, productive cough with purulent sputum
• B. Hypertension and headaches
• C. Abdominal pain and vomiting
• D. Skin rash and pruritus

Answer: (A)

Empyema in the pleural space presents with a fever and symptoms that reflect pleural irritation and impaired lung function. The pleuritic chest pain comes from inflammation of the parietal pleura as pus accumulates. Chest heaviness or dyspnea occurs because the infected space limits full lung expansion. A productive cough with purulent sputum signals ongoing bacterial infection with pus formation in the pleural cavity. Together, these features form a recognizable cluster for empyema. The other options describe symptoms not typical for pleural infection—hypertension and headaches, abdominal pain and vomiting, or skin rash and pruritus—so they don’t fit this context.