Question

A 32-year-old woman presents with progressive fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort that has worsened over the last two days. She had a mild upper respiratory infection last week but otherwise denies any significant past medical history. She does not take any medications and denies any illicit drug use. On examination, she has a temperature of 37.9ºC, heart rate of 132 beats per minute, respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute, and oxygen saturation of 98% on room air. Lungs are clear to auscultation. Chest radiograph demonstrates mild cardiomegaly without infiltrates. Electrocardiogram shows sinus tachycardia with nonspecific ST segment and T wave changes. Troponin is 0.25 ng/mL. What is the likely cause of her symptoms?

a) Acute coronary artery thrombosis
b) Community acquired pneumonia
c) Myocarditis
d) Pulmonary embolism

Answer 1

The likely cause of the woman's symptoms is pulmonary embolism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The likely cause of the woman's symptoms based on the information provided is Pulmonary embolism.

The symptoms of progressive fatigue, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and elevated heart rate, along with the presence of mild cardiomegaly on chest radiograph and non-specific ST segment and T wave changes on electrocardiogram, are consistent with a pulmonary embolism.

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs and obstructs the pulmonary arteries, leading to reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery to the lungs and other organs.