Medical Knowledge Diagnostic Procedures & Imaging 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) primarily measure?
- Blood pressure and vascular resistance
- Electrical activity of the heart (Correct answer)
- Oxygen saturation of the blood
- Cardiac enzyme levels in the blood
Correct answer: Electrical activity of the heart
An ECG measures the electrical impulses generated by the heart, producing the characteristic P-QRS-T waveform used to assess rhythm and detect cardiac abnormalities.
Question 2: Which imaging modality does NOT use ionizing radiation to create images?
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan
- Chest X-ray
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (Correct answer)
- Nuclear medicine bone scan
Correct answer: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses rather than ionizing radiation, making it safer for repeated use and preferred for sensitive populations.
Question 3: What is the normal resting heart rate range for a healthy adult?
- 40–60 beats per minute
- 60–100 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- 100–120 beats per minute
- 50–80 beats per minute
Correct answer: 60–100 beats per minute
A normal adult resting heart rate is 60–100 beats per minute; values below this range indicate bradycardia and values above indicate tachycardia.
Question 4: Which laboratory tests are most commonly used to evaluate renal (kidney) function?
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and AST
- Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (Correct answer)
- Prothrombin time (PT) and INR
- Serum amylase and lipase
Correct answer: Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Serum creatinine and BUN reflect the kidneys' ability to filter waste products from the blood, making them the primary markers of renal function.
Question 5: What does a Complete Blood Count (CBC) primarily assess?
- Electrolyte levels and acid-base balance
- Liver enzyme concentrations
- Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets (Correct answer)
- Blood glucose and insulin levels
Correct answer: Red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
A CBC evaluates the three main cellular components of blood—red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets—along with hemoglobin and hematocrit values.
Question 6: Which imaging modality provides the best soft tissue evaluation for structures such as tendons and ligaments?
- Plain X-ray radiograph
- Computed Tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (Correct answer)
- Technetium bone scan
Correct answer: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI provides superior contrast resolution for soft tissues, making it the preferred modality for evaluating tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles.
Question 7: What is the primary diagnostic purpose of urinalysis?
- To measure serum electrolyte imbalances
- To assess kidney function and detect urinary tract abnormalities (Correct answer)
- To evaluate liver enzyme and bilirubin levels
- To screen for cardiovascular disease markers
Correct answer: To assess kidney function and detect urinary tract abnormalities
Urinalysis examines the physical, chemical, and microscopic properties of urine to identify infections, kidney disease, metabolic disorders, and urinary tract abnormalities.
Medical Knowledge Diagnostic Procedures & Imaging 1
What does an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) primarily measure?