A 53-Year-Old Woman Is Brought to the Emergency Department After

question 236

Multiple Choice

A 53-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department after she collapsed suddenly while standing and lost consciousness for approximately 3 minutes.  She recovered spontaneously but was very weak and dyspneic.  She also reports left-sided chest pain.  There was no tonic-clonic activity or incontinence.  The patient was recently diagnosed with colon cancer on a routine colonoscopy and is scheduled to undergo surgical resection.  Her only other medical problem is hypertension, but she has not been compliant with her medications.  Her blood pressure is 86/50 mm Hg and pulse is 120/min and regular.  Pulse oximetry shows 80% on room air.  She is diaphoretic and tachypneic.  Jugular venous pressure is 13 cm H₂O.  Lungs are clear to auscultation.  Further workup in this patient would most likely show which of the following?

• A)Acute mitral regurgitation
• B)Complete heart block
• C)Left bundle branch block
• D)Mediastinal widening
• E)Pericardial tamponade
• F)Right ventricular dysfunction
• G)Tension pneumothorax

---

Definitions:

Saline Enema

A medical procedure involving the injection of saline solution into the rectum to stimulate bowel movement and relieve constipation.

Abdominal Discomfort

A general term for pain or discomfort felt in the belly area, which can have many causes ranging from indigestion to more serious medical conditions.

Bismuth Subsalicylate

An over-the-counter medication used to treat nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Helicobacter Pylori

A type of bacteria that infects the stomach lining and can lead to ulcers, gastritis, and sometimes stomach cancer.