Pulmonary Embolism USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 31-year-old woman in labor develops sudden severe dyspnea, chest pain, and syncope immediately after vaginal delivery. Vital signs show BP 88/52, HR 128, RR 28, SpO2 89% on room air. She subsequently develops bleeding from IV sites and mucous membranes. Laboratory studies reveal prolonged PT/PTT, low fibrinogen (85 mg/dL), and elevated D-dimer. Chest X-ray is unremarkable. She denies recent immobilization. Which diagnosis best explains her presentation?
Answer choices
- APleural effusion
- BAcute respiratory distress syndrome
- CPulmonary embolism
- DAmniotic fluid embolismCorrect answer
- EFat embolism syndrome
- FPeripartum cardiomyopathy
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