Which of the following is true about transudates?

• A. Presence of bacteria
• B. Non-inflammatory origin
• C. Viscous
• D. High specific gravity

Answer: (B)

Transudates come from systemic, non-inflammatory problems that push fluid out of capillaries or pull fluid back in, such as increased hydrostatic pressure or decreased oncotic pressure. The fluid that results is a plasma ultrafiltrate: it has low protein, low cellular content, and low LDH, reflecting its non-inflammatory nature. Because there isn’t inflammation driving it, there are typically no bacteria or immune cells in the fluid. Viscosity is not a characteristic feature of transudates—they’re usually clear and watery rather than thick. A high specific gravity would imply more solutes and protein, which is not typical of transudates; they actually have a low specific gravity. So the true statement is that transudates have a non-inflammatory origin.