FISDAP OB-GYN Practice Test

In a 26-year-old female who has recently undergone a cesarean section and presents with sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, pulmonary embolism should be strongly suspected. This condition occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, often originating from deep veins in the legs, which can happen in the postpartum period due to factors like immobility, hormonal changes, and increased clotting tendency.

The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism typically include sudden onset of chest pain, which can be sharp or stabbing, and difficulty breathing. The timing in relation to her recent surgery is significant, as the risk of thromboembolic events at this stage is elevated. Other clinical signs may also be present, such as tachycardia or hypoxia.

While pneumonia, pneumothorax, and heart attack could also present with similar symptoms, the acute nature of the presentation in a post-operative patient raises a higher suspicion for pulmonary embolism. Pneumonia generally has a more gradual onset of symptoms, while pneumothorax would typically present with pleuritic pain and possibly unequal breath sounds. A heart attack, while possible, is less likely in a young, otherwise healthy female without other risk factors. Thus, based on the context and clinical