For diagnosing panic disorder, which tests should be performed as part of the evaluation?

Diagnosing panic disorder typically involves ruling out other medical conditions that could mimic its symptoms, including cardiovascular issues, pulmonary embolism, and other potentially serious conditions. The correct approach includes performing a range of tests that assess these areas of concern.

The choice of tests such as creatine kinase (CK), troponins, D-dimer, electrocardiogram (EKG), and radiographic studies is appropriate because these tests can help exclude acute coronary syndromes and pulmonary embolism, both of which may present with symptoms similar to a panic attack, such as chest pain, tachycardia, and shortness of breath. Elevated levels of troponins can indicate myocardial injury, while CK can assess muscle damage. Measuring D-dimer helps rule out thromboembolic events like pulmonary embolism, and an EKG can identify any arrhythmias or other cardiac issues.

In contrast, other options do not provide the same level of relevant diagnostic information for patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of panic disorder. For example, a complete blood count (CBC), basic metabolic panel (BMP), and chest X-ray may not effectively rule out the more acute complications associated with panic attack symptoms in the same manner as the tests in the correct choice. Thus,