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Pulmonary embolism — SCE Respiratory MCQ

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EasyPulmonary Vascular DiseasePulmonary embolismSCE Respiratory

A 48-year-old woman has pleuritic chest pain and mild haemoptysis 3 weeks after knee replacement. Heart rate is 112/min and oxygen saturation is 94% on air. Wells score indicates PE is likely. What is the most appropriate investigation?

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Correct answer: D — CT pulmonary angiography

When clinical probability is likely, NICE recommends imaging rather than using D-dimer to rule out PE. CTPA is the usual first-line imaging test when suitable. Spirometry and pleural cytology do not diagnose acute pulmonary embolism.

Reference: NICE NG158 Venous Thromboembolic Diseases