What color is pericardial fluid typically described as?

• A. Straw yellow
• B. Bright red
• C. Deep brown
• D. Opaque white

Answer: (A)

Pericardial fluid is normally a small-volume ultrafiltrate of plasma, so its color reflects its content rather than inflammation or infection. When healthy, it is clear and pale yellow, described as straw-colored. This indicates a clean, non-bloody, non-inflammatory transudate. A bright red hue would signal blood in the fluid, such as from trauma, rupture, or a hemorrhagic effusion. A deep brown color could come from breakdown products of blood or bile pigments, suggesting old hemorrhage or other pigment-containing processes. An opaque white appearance may point to chyle leakage or purulent material, indicating an infectious or lymphatic issue. Thus, straw yellow is the typical description for normal pericardial fluid.