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CAUTION: THESE NOTES CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!
Case Introduction
You are working a shift at Clerkship General when a 51 year old female is brought in after a syncopal episode.
Initial Vitals
- Temp 100.2
- HR 132
- RR 28
- BP 105/69
- O2 85%
Critical Actions
- Give supplemental Oxygen
- Diagnose Pulmonary Embolism
- Administer Heparin
- Assess contraindications for tPA
- Administer tPA
Final Diagnosis
Massive Pulmonary Embolism
Tips and Tricks
- Reassess vital signs after interventions
- Obtain collateral history from EMS and family
- Make sure your diagnosis fits the patient’s symptoms! (EG don’t diagnose pneumonia based on a consolidation on CXR if the patient doesn’t clinically have pneumonia)
Further Reading
Submassive and Massive PE (EMCrit)