A client presents to the emergency department with suspected pulmonary embolism. What blood test can help assess the likelihood of pulmonary embolism and its severity?
Complete blood count (CBC)
Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis
D-dimer assay
Creatine kinase (CK) levels
The Correct Answer is C
A) Incorrect. A complete blood count (CBC) provides information about the composition of blood cells but is not specific to pulmonary embolism.
B) Incorrect. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis helps assess oxygen and carbon dioxide levels but is not a primary test for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
C) Correct. The D-dimer assay measures a substance released when a blood clot breaks up. Elevated D-dimer levels can suggest the presence of a blood clot, but it is not specific to pulmonary embolism.
D) Incorrect. Creatine kinase (CK) levels are used to assess muscle damage and are not a primary test for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Incorrect. tPA therapy is not primarily used for pain relief but rather for clot dissolution.
B) Incorrect. While improving lung function and oxygenation is a goal in treating pulmonary embolism, tPA's primary purpose is to dissolve existing blood clots.
C) Correct. tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) is a thrombolytic agent used to break down and dissolve existing blood clots in the pulmonary arteries, improving blood flow.
D) Incorrect. tPA is not used to prevent the formation of new blood clots but rather to treat existing clots.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Incorrect. This description is more aligned with a lung infection, such as pneumonia, not pulmonary embolism.
B) Correct. Pulmonary embolism is typically caused by a blood clot that travels to the lungs and obstructs the pulmonary arteries.
C) Incorrect. Prolonged exposure to environmental toxins is not the primary cause of pulmonary embolism.
D) Incorrect. Chronic inflammation in the airways is characteristic of conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but not pulmonary embolism.
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