Nuclear medicine: pulmonary embolism: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Nuclear medicine: pulmonary embolism

Sample item

A young woman with severe renal impairment has suspected pulmonary embolism, and her chest radiograph is normal. Contrast should be avoided. Which test is most appropriate, and which result strongly supports embolism?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Ventilation-perfusion scan, with segmental perfusion defects that have normal ventilation (mismatch)

A V/Q scan avoids iodinated contrast and is particularly useful with a normal chest radiograph. Pulmonary embolism produces wedge-shaped perfusion defects in areas that are ventilated normally (mismatch). Matched defects occur in airway or parenchymal disease such as COPD and are a low-probability pattern.

Option by option

  • A. Ventilation-perfusion scan, with segmental perfusion defects that have normal ventilation (mismatch) (correct)

    Correct. A mismatch pattern is highly suggestive of embolism.

  • B. Barium swallow

    Barium swallow has no role.

  • C. Ventilation-perfusion scan, with matched defects

    Matched ventilation and perfusion defects suggest primary lung disease.

  • D. Positron emission tomography

    PET is not used for acute embolism.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, Ventilation-perfusion scan, with segmental perfusion defects that have normal ventilation (mismatch). A V/Q scan avoids iodinated contrast and is particularly useful with a normal chest radiograph.

Why is "Barium swallow" not the answer?

Barium swallow has no role.

Why is "Ventilation-perfusion scan, with matched defects" not the answer?

Matched ventilation and perfusion defects suggest primary lung disease.

Why is "Positron emission tomography" not the answer?

PET is not used for acute embolism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nuclear medicine: pulmonary embolism in Radiology. Pulmonary embolism produces wedge-shaped perfusion defects in areas that are ventilated normally (mismatch). Matched defects occur in airway or parenchymal disease such as COPD and are a low-probability pattern.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Nuclear medicine: pulmonary embolism?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.