Ileocolic Anastomosis in Medicine / Internal Medicine — 50yo Man | Respiratory / Pulmonology | SMLE Q#11487

SMLE Question #11487

Medicine / Internal Medicine Respiratory / Pulmonology

Objective: OBJ-123

Last updated: February 2026
A 50-year-old man is on postoperative day 6 after an uncomplicated subtotal colectomy with ileocolic anastomosis. He develops sudden shortness of breath and has one episode of hemoptysis. Examination shows mildly decreased breath sounds at the left lung base; heart sounds are normal and the abdomen is soft and non-tender. Chest X-ray shows left basilar atelectasis. ECG shows sinus tachycardia with a new right bundle branch block. What is the most appropriate diagnostic test at this time?

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