MRCP2-4401

MRCP2-4401

A 63-year-old man with a history of lung cancer presents to the emergency department complaining of shortness of breath. He was diagnosed with squamous cell lung cancer two years ago and has undergone several rounds of radiotherapy, but stopped due to intolerance. He reports a recent worsening of his chronic shortness of breath and had difficulty walking from his car to the hospital, a distance he previously managed well. Upon examination, he appears slightly pale, has dullness on the right side of his chest with a few bronchial breaths. A chest X-ray reveals an effusion, and an aspirate withdraws 40 ml of blood. His vital signs show hypoxia with saturations at 91%, but are otherwise normal. Blood tests, including a crossmatch, are ordered. What is the most appropriate course of action?