Pulmonary Embolism USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 24-year-old man undergoes operative repair of a femoral shaft fracture following motor vehicle collision. On postoperative day 2, he develops acute dyspnea, confusion, and petechial rash on chest and axillae. Vital signs: BP 118/76, HR 118/min, RR 28/min, temp 38.2°C, SpO2 88% on room air. Laboratory studies show platelets 78,000/μL and elevated D-dimer. Chest X-ray shows normal parenchyma. Which diagnosis best explains this clinical presentation?
Answer choices
- ACommunity acquired pneumonia
- BFat embolism syndromeCorrect answer
- CSpontaneous pneumothorax
- DAcute respiratory distress syndrome
- EPulmonary embolism
- FDisseminated intravascular coagulation secondary to sepsis
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