American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is the maximum score indicating a high probability of PE according to the Well's score?

1. 4

2. 5

3. 6

4. 7

The correct answer is: 6

The Well's score is a clinical prediction tool used to assess the probability of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients based on specific clinical criteria. The scoring system assigns points for each criterion met, and these points help clinicians estimate the likelihood of PE. A score of 6 or higher correlates with a high probability of PE. This is based on a structured evaluation of factors including the clinical presentation, risk factors for thromboembolism, and the presence of symptoms such as hemoptysis or recent immobilization. When the score reaches 6, it indicates that the clinical features are significant enough to warrant further diagnostic evaluation, such as imaging studies, to rule out PE. Scores lower than 6 indicate a lower probability, with scores of 0-1 considered low and scores of 2-5 generally seen as intermediate probability, suggesting a need for further investigation but not necessarily a high suspicion of PE. Therefore, reaching a score of 6 is crucial for guiding clinical decision-making regarding the evaluation and management of suspected pulmonary embolism.