$$\begin{array} { | l | l | }
\hline \text { Diagnostic Study } & \text { Patient Results } \
\hline \text { Plasma D-dimer } & \text { Elevated } \
\hline \text { ECG } & \begin{array} { l }
\text { Nonspecific T-wave } \
\text { change }
\end{array} \
\hline \mathrm { pH } & 7.49 \
\hline \mathrm { PaO } _ { 2 } & 74 \mathrm { mmHg } \
\hline \mathrm { PaCO } _ { 2 } & 30 \mathrm { mmHg } \
\hline
\end{array}$$
-A patient with dyspnea and chest pain has the above diagnostic study results. The nurse suspects the patient has which of the following?

Question

$$\begin{array} { | l | l | } 
\hline \text { Diagnostic Study } & \text { Patient Results } \
\hline \text { Plasma D-dimer } & \text { Elevated } \
\hline \text { ECG } & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { Nonspecific T-wave } \
\text { change }
\end{array} \
\hline \mathrm { pH } & 7.49 \
\hline \mathrm { PaO } _ { 2 } & 74 \mathrm { mmHg } \
\hline \mathrm { PaCO } _ { 2 } & 30 \mathrm { mmHg } \
\hline
\end{array}$$
-A patient with dyspnea and chest pain has the above diagnostic study results. The nurse suspects the patient has which of the following?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Elevated plasma D-dimer suggests the possibility of a clotting disorder such as pulmonary embolism (PE). The ECG showing nonspecific T-wave changes could be related to PE or cardiac ischemia, but the absence of ST-segment changes makes the latter less likely. The arterial blood gas results indicate respiratory alkalosis, which is consistent with PE. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would more likely present with respiratory acidosis due to retention of carbon dioxide. Metabolic acidosis or alkalosis would cause changes in pH and/or bicarbonate levels, neither of which are seen in this patient's results. An acute asthma attack would more likely present with respiratory acidosis due to bronchoconstriction and impaired gas exchange.

-A Patient with Dyspnea and Chest Pain Has the Above