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.)
D-dimer blood test
Complete blood count (CBC)
CT scan
Chest x-ray
Lung ventilation and perfusion scan (VQ scan)
Correct Answer : A,C,E
A. D-dimer blood test - A D-dimer test measures clot breakdown products in the blood. Elevated levels suggest the presence of an abnormal blood clot, such as in PE, although it is not specific.
B. Complete blood count (CBC) - A CBC is not typically used to diagnose PE. It may be ordered to check for other conditions or as part of the overall health assessment, but it doesn't confirm PE.
C. CT scan - A CT pulmonary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosing PE. It provides detailed images of the blood vessels in the lungs.
D. Chest x-ray - A chest x-ray is not diagnostic for PE. It is often performed to rule out other causes of the client’s symptoms (e.g., pneumonia, pneumothorax) but does not confirm the presence of a pulmonary embolism.
E. Lung ventilation and perfusion scan (VQ scan)
A VQ scan is another diagnostic tool for PE, especially in clients who cannot tolerate contrast dye required for CT scans. It assesses the ventilation and perfusion of the lungs and identifies mismatches suggestive of PE.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Notifying the provider: This is important but should be done after stopping the transfusion.
B. Stopping the transfusion. Chills and back pain during a blood transfusion can indicate a serious transfusion reaction, such as an acute hemolytic reaction. The priority action is to stop the transfusion immediately to prevent further complications
C. Covering the client with a blanket: This addresses the symptom of chills but does not address the potential life-threatening reaction.
D. Assessing the client's skin for a rash: This is part of the assessment for transfusion reactions but is not the priority compared to stopping the transfusion.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. "You have had a gastrointestinal bleed.": While a GI bleed can cause anemia and fatigue, it is not a direct cause of fatigue in sickle cell anemia.
B. "You have a low ferritin level.": Low ferritin indicates iron deficiency anemia, not directly related to sickle cell anemia.
C. "You have an autoimmune disease.": Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder, not an autoimmune disease.
D. "You have fewer red blood cells." Sickle cell anemia results in a decreased number of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) because the sickled cells are fragile and prone to breaking apart. This leads to anemia, which reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen, causing fatigue and tiredness.
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