NREMT Paramedic Practice 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Question: 1 / 400

Which of the following indicates a pulmonary embolism?

Severe headache

Sudden onset chest pain

Sudden onset chest pain is a hallmark sign of a pulmonary embolism. This condition occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, blocking a pulmonary artery. The blockage can cause increased pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs, resulting in sharp, sudden chest pain that may worsen with deep breaths or coughing. This pain can be due to the irritation of the pleura (the lining of the lungs) or due to the strain on the heart that results from the pulmonary obstruction.

Other symptoms may accompany this chest pain, such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, or even coughing up blood, but the critical factor that distinguishes it is the sudden and acute nature of the chest pain. Understanding this symptom is crucial for quick identification and management of a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid intervention.

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Fainting spells

Persistent cough

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