Which diagnostic test may be prescribed to evaluate for the presence of a pulmonary embolism?
Stress testing
D-Dimer
Electrocardiogram
Pulmonary function testing
The Correct Answer is B
A. Stress testing evaluates cardiac function and ischemia but is not used to diagnose a pulmonary embolism (PE).
B. D-Dimer is correct. D-Dimer is a blood test that detects fibrin degradation products, which are elevated when a blood clot forms and breaks down, making it a useful screening test for pulmonary embolism. However, a positive D-Dimer is not diagnostic, and further imaging (e.g., CT pulmonary angiography) is required.
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG) may show changes (e.g., sinus tachycardia, right heart strain) but does not confirm PE.
D. Pulmonary function testing assesses lung diseases like COPD or asthma but is not used to diagnose PE.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
A. Assessing level of consciousness is a nursing responsibility and cannot be delegated to the UAP.
B. Auscultating breath sounds requires clinical judgment and must be performed by a nurse.
C. Encouraging deep breathing exercises is within the scope of a UAP and can help improve gas exchange.
D. Recording a pulse oximeter reading is a task that can be delegated to a UAP, though interpretation remains the nurse’s responsibility.
E. Keeping the head of the bed elevated helps improve oxygenation and can be done by the UAP.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Checking blood pressure is important but does not confirm a myocardial infarction. Hypotension or hypertension may be present, but they are not definitive diagnostic tools.
B. Auscultating heart tones can help assess for murmurs or extra sounds, but it cannot diagnose a myocardial infarction.
C. Radiating pain to the left arm is a classic symptom, but not all clients experience it, and its absence does not rule out an MI.
D. Performing a 12-lead ECG is the most important diagnostic tool for identifying myocardial infarction. It provides real-time evidence of ischemic changes, such as ST-segment elevation or depression, confirming or ruling out an MI.
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