A 24 year old man presents with pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath 3 days after a long haul flight. Heart rate is 112 beats per minute, bloo...

Question

A 24 year old man presents with pleuritic chest pain and shortness of breath 3 days after a long haul flight. Heart rate is 112 beats per minute, blood pressure 122/74 mm Hg, respiratory rate 24 and oxygen saturation 94% on room air. His Wells score is intermediate. According to recommended diagnostic strategies, what is the most appropriate next step?

Accepted Answer

Order a D-dimer test and if negative exclude pulmonary embolism

Answer

Start anticoagulation without further testing in all such cases

Answer

Order a chest X ray only

Answer

Discharge with reassurance

Answer

Order ultrasound of the legs only

ca-mccqe1 MCQ (SBA): Pulmonary embolism diagnosis