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Postpartum venous thromboembolism — DRCOG MCQ

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EasyPostnatalPostpartum venous thromboembolismDRCOG

A 34-year-old woman presents 2 weeks after caesarean birth with a swollen painful left calf. She feels mildly breathless on exertion but has no chest pain. Her pulse is 104 bpm. When should this patient be referred?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: D — Refer immediately for assessment of venous thromboembolism

Postpartum women are at increased VTE risk, and unilateral calf swelling with breathlessness requires immediate assessment. Standard non-pregnant decision tools such as Wells score are not used to rule out VTE in pregnancy or the puerperium. Delayed review or massage could be harmful. Suspected pulmonary embolism symptoms increase urgency.

Reference: RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 37b; NICE NG194