A patient with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) presents with sudden onset dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and hemoptysis. Which of the following diagnostic tests is most appropriate for confirming the diagnosis?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Spiral CT angiography is the most appropriate test for confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient with suspected PE. It is a non-invasive imaging modality that can detect filling defects within the pulmonary vasculature indicative of a clot. This diagnostic test has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing PE, making it a valuable tool in the management of patients with suspected PE.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe condition characterized by widespread inflammation in the lungs leading to increased pulmonary vascular permeability, non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, and respiratory failure. In ARDS, the alveolar-capillary barrier is disrupted, resulting in fluid accumulation in the alveoli and impaired gas exchange.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but serious condition characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, neurological abnormalities, fever, and renal dysfunction. The classic pentad of symptoms includes fever, neurologic changes, renal impairment, thrombocytopenia, and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. The presence of petechiae, purpura, and mucosal bleeding along with thrombocytopenia, elevated serum creatinine, and schistocytes on peripheral blood smear are consistent with TTP. In TTP, there is usually a deficiency of ADAMTS13 (a von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease) leading to excessive platelet adhesion, aggregation, and microthrombi formation within small blood vessels. Treatment typically

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell neoplasm characterized by the presence of abnormal monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, which produce a monoclonal spike on serum protein electrophoresis. The clinical presentation of weakness, bone pain, and recurrent infections is typical of multiple myeloma. Anemia can result from bone marrow infiltration by the abnormal plasma cells, hypercalcemia is due to bone destruction and release of calcium, renal insufficiency can result from hypercalcemia and protein deposition in the kidneys, and the monoclonal spike in serum protein electrophoresis indicates the presence of a monoclonal protein. Waldenström macroglobulinemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia do not typically present with the classic tetrad of findings seen in multiple myeloma.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The patient is presenting with sudden onset weakness and numbness on one side of the body, along with difficulty speaking and understanding speech, which are typical symptoms of a stroke. Imaging revealing an acute infarction involving the left middle cerebral artery territory is consistent with an ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs when there is a blockage in a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the affected area, resulting in neurological deficits. This is in contrast to an intracerebral hemorrhage, which is caused by bleeding into the brain tissue, or a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which involves bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a temporary episode of neurological dysfunction caused by a brief blockage of blood flow to a part of the brain, usually resolving within 24 hours. In this case, the presentation and imaging findings are most