Radiology Practice Test

What type of scan is typically performed to examine the function of the heart?

1. MRI

2. CT scan

3. Cardiac stress test

4. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

The correct answer is: Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan is designed to visualize metabolic processes in the body, making it particularly useful for assessing cardiac function. With this imaging technique, radioactive tracers are used to highlight areas of the heart that may be functioning abnormally due to conditions such as coronary artery disease or heart failure. This allows healthcare professionals to observe both the anatomy and the physiological behaviors of heart tissues. In contrast, while an MRI can provide detailed images of the heart's structure, it does not primarily focus on metabolic function. A CT scan is also more focused on providing detailed anatomical images rather than functional assessment. A cardiac stress test, while useful for evaluating heart function during exertion, is not a scan in the same sense as the imaging techniques listed; it typically involves monitoring the heart's electrical activity and response to physical stress rather than providing a direct image of the heart's structure or metabolic activity. Thus, the PET scan stands out as the most appropriate choice for examining heart function through a functional imaging approach.