A 54-year-old woman has sudden dyspnea and syncope after recent hip surgery. Blood pressure is 78/44 mm Hg and oxygen saturation is 86%. CT

Question

A 54-year-old woman has sudden dyspnea and syncope after recent hip surgery. Blood pressure is 78/44 mm Hg and oxygen saturation is 86%. CT angiography shows large bilateral pulmonary emboli with right ventricular strain. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Administer systemic thrombolysis

Answer

Treat with compression stockings alone

Answer

Give antibiotics for pneumonia

Answer

Discharge on aspirin

Answer

Delay treatment until D-dimer returns

Massive PE — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

A 54-year-old woman has sudden dyspnea and syncope after recent hip surgery. Blood pressure is 78/44 mm Hg and oxygen saturation is 86%. CT angiography shows large bilateral pulmonary emboli with right ventricular strain. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?