Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following is a classic sign of pulmonary embolism?

1. Localized sharp chest pain

2. Persistent coughing

3. Wheezing

4. General fatigue

The correct answer is: Localized sharp chest pain

A classic sign of pulmonary embolism is localized sharp chest pain. This occurs due to the obstruction of blood flow to lung tissue, which can cause pleuritic pain when the affected areas of the lung become inflamed or when there's irritation of the pleura surrounding the lungs. Patients often describe this pain as sharp and may feel it worsen with deep inspiration or coughing, which can lead to a misinterpretation of it as a respiratory issue. Though other symptoms such as persistent coughing, wheezing, and general fatigue can also present in patients with pulmonary conditions, they are not as specific to pulmonary embolism as localized sharp chest pain. Persistent coughing may indicate other respiratory issues like bronchitis or infections, while wheezing is typically associated with bronchoconstriction or asthma. General fatigue is a common symptom in a wide range of medical conditions and lacks the specificity to pulmonary embolism needed for diagnosis. Therefore, localized sharp chest pain is a more distinctive sign of this critical condition.