A breastfeeding patient ten days postpartum has pleuritic pain, oxygen saturation 91%, tachycardia and unilateral calf swelling. She is

Question

A breastfeeding patient ten days postpartum has pleuritic pain, oxygen saturation 91%, tachycardia and unilateral calf swelling. She is hemodynamically stable. What is the next diagnostic action?

Accepted Answer

Perform leg compression ultrasonography, continuing the postpartum PE pathway if negative

Answer

Use a pregnancy-adapted D-dimer result to determine the need for any imaging

Answer

Obtain chest radiography and end the PE assessment after a normal result

Answer

Begin therapeutic anticoagulation and schedule definitive imaging at six weeks postpartum

Answer

Defer thoracic imaging and use serial leg ultrasonography throughout lactation

Pulmonary embolism postpartum — CCFP MCQ

A breastfeeding patient ten days postpartum has pleuritic pain, oxygen saturation 91%, tachycardia and unilateral calf swelling. She is hemodynamically stable. What is the next diagnostic action?