QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
The most likely diagnosis in this woman is pulmonary embolism. This is due to the classic triad of symptoms: sudden onset shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain and haemoptysis. Her observations of tachycardia and tachypnoea further confirm this diagnosis. The best initial investigation for this woman would be a CT pulmonary angiogram, which would likely show a filling defect in the pulmonary vasculature.
10025025
a
CT pulmonary angiogram
QuestionChoice
This patient is presenting with a pulmonary embolism after a long flight (one of the risk factors for a pulmonary embolism). The best initial investigation for this woman would be a CT pulmonary angiogram.
10025029
e
Blood pressure
QuestionChoice
The most likely diagnosis in this woman in pulmonary embolism. The best initial investigation for this woman would be a CT pulmonary angiogram.
10025026
b
Doppler ultrasound
QuestionChoice
This would be the best initial investigation for a pulmonary embolism if the patient had renal impairment, a contrast allergy or was pregnant. The question mentions none of these criteria, so the best initial investigation for this woman would be a CT pulmonary angiogram.
10025027
c
V/Q scan
QuestionChoice
An echocardiogram can be a useful investigation if you want to check for signs of right heart strain or hypotension in patients with high-risk pulmonary embolisms. However, the best initial investigation in this woman’s case would be to conduct a CT pulmonary angiogram.
10025028
d
Echocardiogram
Concept
Chapter
2693
3724
Pulmonary Embolism
Topic
132
Respiratory
17403
A 33-year-old female presents to A+E with shortness of breath that began four hours ago. She also reports having chest pain that is worse breathing in and has brought up some small flecks of bright red blood when coughing. She has recently returned from a two-week holiday in Australia. On examination, she has a heart rate of 120 and respiratory rate of 18. Her oxygen saturations are 90%. She has a temperature of 38.0.

Which of the following is the most appropriate initial investigation?
a