PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

When evaluating post-operative chest pain, which is NOT a differential diagnosis?

1. Myocardial infarction (MI)

2. Atelectasis

3. Gastritis

4. Chronic renal failure

The correct answer is: Chronic renal failure

In the context of evaluating post-operative chest pain, chronic renal failure is not typically considered a differential diagnosis. This is because chronic renal failure primarily affects kidney function and fluid balance, rather than directly impacting cardiac or thoracic structures that would lead to chest pain. In contrast, myocardial infarction is a critical condition that can present as chest pain, especially in the post-operative period when patients may be at increased risk for cardiac events due to stress, fluid shifts, or other factors. Atelectasis, which is the collapse of a part of the lung, can also cause chest pain due to associated respiratory compromise or irritation of the pleura. Gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining, can manifest with epigastric pain that may radiate to the chest and could be misinterpreted as chest pain. Therefore, while myocardial infarction, atelectasis, and gastritis are all relevant considerations when assessing post-operative chest pain, chronic renal failure does not directly correlate with the etiology of pain in this specific context.