A 24 year-old male presents complaining of chest pain. He states that it is worse with swallowing and taking a deep breath. It is improved sitting up and leaning forward. He denies trauma, a cough and shortness of breath. Which of the following test would be most compatible with your suspected diagnosis?
A. a hiatal hernia visualized on chest x-ray
B. a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate
C. calcified "popcorn" lesions in the lung fields bilaterally
D. diffuse ST segment elevation on his electrocardiograph
E. a widened Aa gradient on his arterial blood gas
Answer: D. diffuse ST segment elevation on his electrocardiograph
This is pericarditis (by clinical presentation) which causes diffuse ST segment elevation on ECG (there can be notching of the R wave as well)
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If you are studying for the PANCE or the PANRE I recommend these Review Books.