PTA Physical Therapy Assistant

Answer: B - Pulmonary angiogram is the most definitive test used to detect pulmonary embolism.

Pulmonary angiogram is an invasive test that involves injection of dye into the arterial vasculature. It must be carried out in the catheterization laboratory under a sterile environment.

Ultrasound is commonly used to find the pockets of fluid during thoracocentesis. The ultrasound waves are bounced off by the bones of the thoracic cavity so it is not very useful in the thoracic region.

Ventilation perfusion scan is the primary test used to detect pulmonary embolism. However, research has found that this scan can give indeterminate results.

Positron emission tomography also shows the function of the organs rather than just their structure. It is commonly used to detect the viable cardiac muscle.