Question

The nurse is providing care for a client with possible pancreatic cancer. Which test is the most definitive diagnostic exam for this type of cancer? A. Serum amylase B. Pancreatic ultrasonography C. CT scan D. ERCP with cytologies

Short answer

Answer: D. ERCP with cytologies

Step-by-step solution

Understand the options

Each option represents a different diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer. First, let's briefly review each test: A. Serum amylase: A blood test that detects the level of amylase enzyme, which can be elevated in acute pancreatitis but is not specific for pancreatic cancer. B. Pancreatic ultrasonography: An imaging study that uses sound waves to create images of the pancreas, which may reveal abnormal growths or changes but may not always be definitive. C. CT scan: Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique that uses X-rays to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the pancreas. This can help identify tumors but may not be definitive for cancer. D. ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) with cytologies: A procedure that combines endoscopy and fluoroscopy to examine the bile and pancreatic ducts. It can also help obtain tissue samples (cytologies) for further testing.

Identify the most definitive test

Based on the brief descriptions of each test, we can deduce that: - Serum amylase is not specific for pancreatic cancer. - Pancreatic ultrasonography and CT scan can help identify tumors but may not always be definitive. - ERCP with cytologies can both visualize the ducts and collect tissue samples for further testing. Out of the four options, ERCP with cytologies stands out as the most definitive diagnostic exam in regards to pancreatic cancer because it allows for direct visualization and collection of tissue samples for analysis.

Choose the answer

Based on the information provided and the analysis, the most definitive diagnostic exam for pancreatic cancer is: D. ERCP with cytologies