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A client is undergoing an echocardiogram as part of the diagnostic workup for suspected pulmonary embolism. What information can an echocardiogram provide in this context?

A.

Visualization of blood clots in the pulmonary arteries

B.

Assessment of heart valve function and heart structure

C.

Measurement of arterial blood gases

D.

Evaluation of lung function and ventilation

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A) Incorrect. An echocardiogram does not visualize blood clots in the pulmonary arteries; it focuses on assessing heart function and structure.

B) Correct. An echocardiogram provides valuable information about heart valve function and heart structure, helping assess the impact of a pulmonary embolism on the heart.

C) Incorrect. Measurement of arterial blood gases (ABGs) is typically performed through blood sampling, not with an echocardiogram.

D) Incorrect. Echocardiograms do not evaluate lung function and ventilation; they primarily assess cardiac function.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A) Incorrect. While pulmonary embolism can strain the heart, it is primarily a result of disrupted blood flow to the lungs, not heart failure.

B) Incorrect. While pulmonary embolism can impact lung function, it does so through blocked blood flow rather than severe inflammation.

C) Correct. The most critical aspect of pulmonary embolism is the blockage of blood flow to the lungs, which can lead to severe oxygen deprivation and be fatal.

D) Incorrect. The collapse of bronchial tubes is not a characteristic of pulmonary embolism.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A) Incorrect. Visualizing the heart's electrical activity is typically done with an electrocardiogram (ECG), not a V/Q scan.

B) Correct. A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is used to assess lung function and oxygenation and to detect areas of the lung where blood flow and air ventilation do not match, which can indicate a pulmonary embolism.

C) Incorrect. Measuring blood clotting time is typically done using coagulation tests such as prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

D) Incorrect. Evaluating kidney function is not the primary purpose of a V/Q scan.

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