A 67-year-old man suffering from metastatic prostate cancer arrives at your emergency department 2 h after the sudden onset of anterior chest pain and shortness of breath. The pain is enhanced by deep breathing movements. He is hypotensive and exhibits a rapid pulse and respiration rate. His blood pressure is 100/56 mmHg, pulse 136/min and respiration rate 28/min. Although the lungs are clear, an electrocardiogram (ECG) shows a right axis deviation not observed before. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms of sudden onset anterior chest pain, shortness of breath, hypotension, rapid pulse, and respiration rate, along with the ECG showing a new right axis deviation, are highly suggestive of a pulmonary embolism.

A 67-Year-Old Man Suffering from Metastatic Prostate Cancer Arrives at Your