The nurse is caring for a patient who has presented to the ER with chest pain. Which diagnostic test will best indicate if there is significant blockage of certain important blood vessels that provide oxygen to the heart muscle?
A) Cardiac catheterization
B) Chest x-ray
C) Echocardiogram
D) Electrocardiogram

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cardiac catheterization includes the use of contrast dye to visualize the coronary arteries and determine blood flow to cardiac muscle. The other tests will not allow the physician to determine which (if any) coronary arteries are occluded.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has Presented