A 22-year-old tall thin man arrives with sudden pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea. Triage acuity is ESI 3; BP 126/72 mm Hg, HR 98/min, SpO2 97%.

Question

A 22-year-old tall thin man arrives with sudden pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea. Triage acuity is ESI 3; BP 126/72 mm Hg, HR 98/min, SpO2 97%. Breath sounds are decreased at the right apex. He is stable and has no trauma history. Which of the following is the most appropriate imaging study?

Accepted Answer

Upright chest radiograph

Answer

Ventilation-perfusion scan

Answer

Echocardiography

Answer

CT pulmonary angiography as the first test

Answer

Bronchoscopy

Spontaneous pneumothorax — ABEM Board MCQ

A 22-year-old tall thin man arrives with sudden pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea. Triage acuity is ESI 3; BP 126/72 mm Hg, HR 98/min, SpO2 97%. Breath sounds are decreased at the right apex. He is stable and has no trauma history. Which of the following is the most appropriate imaging study?