Critical Care Nursing Practice Questions Related

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What diagnostic procedure is required to make a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism?

  • A. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis.
  • B. Chest x-ray examination.
  • C. High resolution multidetector CT angiogram.
  • D. Ventilation-perfusion scanning.
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: High resolution multidetector CT angiogram. This diagnostic procedure is required for a definitive diagnosis of pulmonary embolism because it provides detailed imaging of the pulmonary vasculature, allowing visualization of blood clots in the pulmonary arteries.

A: Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis does not directly diagnose pulmonary embolism but may show signs of hypoxemia or respiratory alkalosis, which can be seen in some cases of pulmonary embolism.

B: Chest x-ray examination may show nonspecific findings such as atelectasis or pleural effusion but cannot definitively diagnose pulmonary embolism.

D: Ventilation-perfusion scanning is another imaging modality used in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, but it is less commonly used compared to CT angiogram due to lower sensitivity and specificity.