A health-care provider has decided to perform transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)on a patient to determine the severity of a valvular abnormality.Which of the following conditions in the patient would most likely cause the provider to choose this method over conventional echocardiography?
A)Obesity
B)Bleeding disorder
C)Esophageal varices
D)Unstable cardiac status

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is often chosen over conventional transthoracic echocardiography in obese patients because obesity can limit the quality of images obtained through the chest wall. TEE provides clearer images of the heart by bypassing the chest wall and lungs, using an ultrasound probe inserted into the esophagus.

A Health-Care Provider Has Decided to Perform Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)on