Patient history: A 48-year-old woman is brought to the emergency room complaining of a sudden onset of dyspnea. She reports that while cooking dinner in the kitchen, she suddenly struggled to breathe, her heart started racing, and she became lightheaded. She denied chest pain or a cough. Medical history: Her medical history is significant only for gallstones, for which she underwent a cholecystectomy two weeks previously. The procedure was complicated by a wound infection, requiring her to stay in the hospital for eight days.
She takes no medications regularly except for acetaminophen for surgical site pain. Physical examination: She is tachypneic. Respiratory rate- 28 breaths per minute Oxygen saturation- 84% on room air Heart rate- 124 bpm Blood pressure- 118/89 mmHg She appears uncomfortable, diaphoretic, and frightened. Her oral mucosa is slightly cyanotic, her jugular venous…
