A patient with a history of hypertension and heart disease has developed intense chest pain. The physician suspects that the patient is experiencing an aortic dissection. What tests would the nurse prepare for that would most likely diagnose this condition? Select all that apply.
a. Transesophageal echocardiography
b. CT angiogram
c. Chest x-ray
d. MRI without contrast
e. Cardiac biomarkers
a. Transesophageal echocardiography
b. CT angiogram
c. Chest x-ray
e. Cardiac biomarkers
rationale: "CT angiogram", "Chest x-ray", "Cardiac biomarkers" and "Transesophageal echocardiography" are correct. An aortic dissection occurs when a tear occurs in the inner layer of the aorta, the large vessel branching off the heart that carries oxygenated blood to the entire body. This tear causes the remaining layers of the vessel wall to separate, and blood surges through the tear. This is a medical emergency and rapid diagnosis is crucial. There are a number of diagnostic procedures that could be used, but some of the most common include echocardiography, CT or MRI angiogram, ECG, chest x-ray, and cardiac biomarkers.
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