As the doctor on call, you are asked to see a 66-year-old woman on the orthopedic ward who has become acutely short of breath. History She is 7 days post-hemiarthroplasty for a fractured femur and her recovery has been slow. When you arrive, the patient has an oxygen mask on and is feeling more comfortable. She is still complaining of pain on deep inspiration and finds it difficult to talk in full sentences. She has no known cardiovascular disease but is overweight. She is an ex-smoker. Physical examination The patient is tachypneic with a respiratory rate of 35/min and oxygen saturations of 92 percent on 35 percent oxygen.
She is afebrile and has a blood pressure of 100/80 mmHg and a pulse rate of 120/min. There is good air entry throughout on both sides of the chest. Abdominal examination is unremarkable. Laboratory findings were normal. An ECG was ordered (Cover Image). What are the…
