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A 58 year old woman with congestive heart failure presents with tachycardia, S3 heart sounds, and basilar crackles bilaterally. Her blood pressure is 90/68 mm Hg. What is the most likely diagnosis?

A) Aortic stenosis
B) Myocardial infarction
C) Pulmonary embolism
D) Congestive heart failure

User Ksuralta
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1 Answer

4 votes

A 58-year-old woman showing symptoms of tachycardia, S3 heart sounds, and basilar crackles with a hypotensive presentation is most likely experiencing an exacerbation of her pre-existing congestive heart failure.

The 58-year-old woman with congestive heart failure (CHF) presents with tachycardia, an S3 heart sound, and basilar crackles bilaterally with a low blood pressure of 90/68 mm Hg. These clinical findings suggest an exacerbation of her underlying heart condition rather than other diseases such as aortic stenosis, myocardial infarction, or a pulmonary embolism.

The S3 heart sound and bilateral basilar crackles are indicative of fluid congestion typically seen in congestive heart failure. The fact that she already has a history of CHF along with hypoxemia and these symptoms supports this diagnosis.

So, the most likely diagnosis for this patient with her current presentation is congestive heart failure (D).

User Gonzohunter
by
7.8k points
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