What assessment tool is used to identify potential pulmonary embolism in a patient?

The Wells criteria is a widely used clinical tool designed specifically to assess the probability of a pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient. It incorporates various clinical factors such as the presence of signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis, previous history of PE or DVT, heart rate, and other risk factors for thromboembolic events. By evaluating these criteria, healthcare professionals can stratify patients based on their likelihood of having a PE, which then guides further diagnostic evaluation and management.

In contrast, the APACHE II score is primarily used for assessing the severity of illness in critically ill patients, the CHA2DS2-VASc score is intended for assessing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation, and the Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool used to assess a patient's level of consciousness and neurological function following head injury or other conditions. None of these tools are suited for identifying pulmonary embolism, making the Wells criteria the appropriate choice in this scenario.