Critical Care
The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary and Critical Care publishes articles directed to those who treat patients in the ICU, CCU and SICU including chest physicians, surgeons, pediatricians, pharmacists/pharmacologists, anesthesiologists, critical care nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Manuscripts may be either basic or clinical original investigations or review articles. Potential authors of review articles are encouraged to contact the editors before submission, however, unsolicited review articles will be considered.
March 2017 Critical Care Case of the Month
Kyle J. Henry, MD
Banner University Medical Center Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ USA
History of Present Illness
A 50-year-old man presented to the emergency room via private vehicle complaining of 5 days of intermittent chest and right upper quadrant pain. Associated with the pain he had nausea, cough, shortness of breath, lower extremity edema, and palpitations.
Past Medical History, Social History, and Family History
He had a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus but was on no medications and had not seen a provider in years. He was disabled from his job as a construction worker. He had smoked a pack per day for 30 years. He was a heavy daily ethanol consumer. He had an extensive family history of diabetes.
Physical Examination
- Vitals: T 36.4 C, pulse 106/min and regular, blood pressure 96/69 mm Hg, respiratory rate 19 breaths/min, SpO2 98% on room air
- Lungs: clear
- Heart: regular rhythm without murmur.
- Abdomen: mild RUQ tenderness
- Extremities: No edema noted.
Electrocardiogram
His electrocardiogram is show in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Admission electrocardiogram.
Which of the following are true regarding the electrocardiogram? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of seven pages)
- The lack of Q waves in V2 and V3 excludes an anteroseptal myocardial infarction
- The S1Q3T3 patter is diagnostic of a pulmonary embolism
- There are nonspecific ST and T wave changes
- 1 and 3
- All of the above
Cite as: Henry KJ. March 2017 critical care case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2017;14(3):94-102. doi: https://doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc021-17 PDF