3/10/2017 Plabable

Question 1 of 20

Question Code: EM 1001

A 57 year old man presents to A&E with central abdominal and lower back pain
associated with feeling faint and sweaty. The pain started very suddenly and it is
very severe. His heart rate is 105 bpm and blood pressure is 88/50 mmHg. On
physical examination, there is a tender pulsatile abdominal mass and his left
femoral pulse is absent. What is the SINGLE most appropriate initial investigation?

Plab Lab Values

A.

Ultrasound

B.

Sigmoidoscopy

C.

Barium enema

D.

X-ray of the abdomen

E.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen

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This is a classic picture of a ruptured abdominal aneurysm.

An ultrasound scan is the only appropriate investigation given the options.

Questions would usually have either an ultrasound or CT abdomen as one of the

choices for a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Both choices are correct. It is important to

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3/10/2017 Plabable

note that both USS or CT scan can be performed. Although, it may be safer and
quicker to perform USS in the ED, rather than transfer the patient for CT scan.

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80%

1%

1%

4%

15%

80% of users answered this question correctly

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