In patients suspected of having pulmonary emboli in which ...

[leilurhhh]

In patients suspected of having pulmonary emboli in which noninvasive studies do not give a definite diagnosis, what diagnostic procedure is the test of choice?
 
  a. CT
  b. MRI
  c. Pulmonary angiography
  d. scan

Question 2

Why is the D-dimer test not routinely performed on hospital inpatients suspected of having pul-monary emboli?
 
  a. A high D-dimer only suggests the pres-ence of comorbidities.
  b. A low D-dimer is associated with immu-nodepression.
  c. It loses sensitivity if numerous blood tests have been performed.
  d. The cost is prohibitive.

[vseab]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
For the one-third of patients who do not receive a definitive diagnosis on the basis of the results of noninvasive studies, pulmonary angiography is the test of choice.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Inpatients should undergo an imaging study as the initial test for pulmonary emboli because most will already have elevated D-dimer levels due to comorbid conditions.

[leilurhhh]

TYSM

[cpetit11]

Excellent