A D-Dimer Test Is Performed in a Patient in Whom

question 42

Multiple Choice

A D-dimer test is performed in a patient in whom a pulmonary embolism is suspected. The value comes back at 379 mg/L. What does this suggest?

• A)almost completely establishes the presence of pulmonary embolism
• B)almost completely rules out pulmonary embolism
• C)establishes roughly a 50/50 chance of pulmonary embolism
• D)is indeterminate but highly suggestive of pulmonary embolism

---

Definitions:

Synonymous Substitution Rate

The rate at which point mutations occur in a DNA sequence that do not alter the encoded amino acid due to the redundancy of the genetic code.

Purifying Selection

Removes deleterious alleles from a population. It is a common form of stabilizing selection.

Molecular Clock Estimates

Techniques that use the rate of molecular change to deduce the time in geological history when two species or other taxa diverged.