Question

A 45-year-old woman presents with a painful, swollen, and erythematous left calf for 3 days. She has a history of long-haul travel 2 weeks ago. Her D-dimer is elevated. According to NICE guidelines, what is the next most appropriate step to confirm or exclude a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

Accepted Answer

Commence anticoagulation immediately and arrange outpatient ultrasound Doppler scan within 24 hours

Answer

Arrange an urgent V/Q scan

Answer

Admit for CT pulmonary angiogram

Answer

Repeat D-dimer in 1 week

Answer

Prescribe empirical antibiotics for cellulitis

Practice question

A 45-year-old woman presents with a painful, swollen, and erythematous left calf for 3 days. She has a history of long-haul travel 2 weeks ago. Her D-dimer is elevated. According to NICE guidelines, what is the next most appropriate step to confirm or exclude a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?