CH. 16: Surgical/Diagnostic Terms

Question 1

adrenalectomy

Answer 1

excision of (one or both) adrenal glands

Question 2

parathyroidectomy

Answer 2

excision of (one or more) parathyroid glands

Question 3

thyroidectomy

Answer 3

excision of the thyroid gland

Question 4

radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU)

Answer 4

nuclear medicine scan that measures thyroid function, particularly when distinguishing different causes of hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine is given to the patient orally, after which the amount of its uptake into the thyroid gland is measured. Images of the gland can also be obtained using this procedure.

Question 5

sestamibi parathyroid scan

Answer 5

nuclear medicine procedure used to localize hyperactive parathyroid glands. The glands that take up an abnormal amount of radioactive substance are identified and selected for surgical removal; the other parathyroid glands may be left in place.

Question 6

thyroid sonography

Answer 6

ultrasound test of the thyroid gland used to help determine whether a thyroid nodule is likely benign or possibly malignant, including whether it is cystic or solid. Also used to help guide a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy.

Question 7

fasting blood sugar (FBS)

Answer 7

blood test to determine the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood after fasting for 8 to 10 hours. Elevation may indicate diabetes mellitus.

Question 8

fine needle aspiration (FNA)

Answer 8

biopsy technique that uses a narrow hollow needle to obtain tiny amounts of tissue for pathologic examination. Thyroid nodules are frequently biopsied using FNA.

Question 9

glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)

Answer 9

blood test used to diagnose diabetes and monitor its treatment by measuring the amount of glucose (sugar) bound to hemoglobin in the blood. HbA1c provides an indication of blood sugar level over the past three months, covering the 120-day lifespan of the red blood cell (also called glycated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1c, and A1c test).

Question 10

thyroid-stimulating hormone level (TSH)

Answer 10

blood test that measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood; used to diagnose thyroid disorders and to monitor patients on thyroid replacement therapy.

Question 11

thyroxine level (T4)

Answer 11

blood test that gives the direct measurement of the amount of thyroxine in the patient’s blood. A greater-than-normal amount indicates hyperthyroidism; a less-than-normal amount indicates hypothyroidism.