ATI 410 Med Surg Exam Related

Review ATI 410 Med Surg Exam related questions and content

A nurse is caring for a client who has developed pulmonary embolism (PE). Which of the following diagnostic tests should the nurse anticipate the provider to prescribe to confirm the client's condition?(Select All that Apply.)

  • A. D-dimer blood test
  • B. Complete blood count (CBC)
  • C. CT scan
  • D. Chest x-ray
  • E. Lung ventilation and perfusion scan (VQ scan)
Correct Answer: A,C,E

Rationale: A D-dimer test measures clot breakdown products in the blood, with elevated levels suggesting the presence of an abnormal blood clot like in PE. A CT pulmonary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing PE, providing detailed images of the lung's blood vessels. A VQ scan is another diagnostic tool for PE, especially for clients who cannot tolerate contrast dye, as it identifies ventilation-perfusion mismatches suggestive of PE. A CBC is not typically used to diagnose PE, and a chest x-ray is performed to rule out other causes but does not confirm PE.