A 55-year-old African-American man presents as febrile with massive swelling of the abdomen and diarrhea. He has a 20-year history of heavy alcohol use. A fluid wave is elicited on physical examination of the abdomen by striking one flank and feeling the transmitted wave on the opposite flank.
In what case would ascitic fluid analysis suggest cirrhosis as a cause of ascites in this patient?
A) If the acidic fluid and leukocyte count is more than 500/mm3
B) If the fluid has a protein concentration below 3 g/dL
C) If there is a large number of red blood cells in the fluid
D) If fluid is designated as a exudate
E) If the Serum Ascites Albumin Gradient is lower than 1.1 g/dL
