A 22-year-old tall man presents to a Perth ED, triage category 3, with sudden pleuritic chest pain and mild dyspnoea. BP 124/76, HR 92, SpO2 96% on

Question

A 22-year-old tall man presents to a Perth ED, triage category 3, with sudden pleuritic chest pain and mild dyspnoea. BP 124/76, HR 92, SpO2 96% on air. Chest exam reveals reduced breath sounds at the left apex with no tracheal deviation. What is the most appropriate investigation?

Accepted Answer

Erect chest radiograph

Answer

Arterial blood gas as sole test

Answer

CT coronary angiography

Answer

D-dimer assay

Answer

Routine outpatient spirometry

Primary spontaneous pneumothorax — ACEM Fellowship MCQ

A 22-year-old tall man presents to a Perth ED, triage category 3, with sudden pleuritic chest pain and mild dyspnoea. BP 124/76, HR 92, SpO2 96% on air. Chest exam reveals reduced breath sounds at the left apex with no tracheal deviation. What is the most appropriate investigation?