Respiratory medicine: pulmonary embolism: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Respiratory medicine: pulmonary embolism

Sample item

A patient develops sudden pleuritic chest pain, dyspnea, tachycardia, and hemoptysis six days after a hip replacement. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Pulmonary embolism

Recent major orthopedic surgery is a strong venous thromboembolism risk factor. Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic pain, and tachycardia should prompt assessment for pulmonary embolism.

Option by option

  • A. Lobar pneumonia

    Pneumonia more often evolves with fever, cough, and focal pulmonary findings.

  • B. Pulmonary embolism (correct)

    Correct. The postoperative risk factor and abrupt cardiopulmonary symptoms fit pulmonary embolism.

  • C. Acute pericarditis

    Pericarditis causes positional chest pain and characteristic ECG changes.

  • D. Tension headache

    A tension headache cannot explain hypoxemic respiratory symptoms.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More General Medicine questions

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, Pulmonary embolism. Recent major orthopedic surgery is a strong venous thromboembolism risk factor.

Why is "Lobar pneumonia" not the answer?

Pneumonia more often evolves with fever, cough, and focal pulmonary findings.

Why is "Acute pericarditis" not the answer?

Pericarditis causes positional chest pain and characteristic ECG changes.

Why is "Tension headache" not the answer?

A tension headache cannot explain hypoxemic respiratory symptoms.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Respiratory medicine: pulmonary embolism in General Medicine. Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic pain, and tachycardia should prompt assessment for pulmonary embolism.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Respiratory medicine: pulmonary embolism?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.