Chapter 1: Principals of Diagnosis Flashcards
Determination of the natureand cause of an illness
Diagnosis
Physician’s opinion on eventual outcomeof the disease; outlook on recovery
Prognosis
What are the two types of treatment?
1) Specific
2) Symptomatic
What type of treatment is directed at the underlying cause(s) of disease?
Specific
What type of treatment is given to alleviate symptoms?
Symptomatic
What are the components of a clinical history?
1) HPI
2) Past medical history
3) Family history
4) Social history
5) Review of systems
Consideration of various diseases or conditions that would fit the clinical or physical findings and the patient’s symptoms and signs
Differential diagnosis
What type of treatment is an antibiotic for an infection?
Specific
What type of treatment is insulin for diabetes?
Specific
What are the requirements for effective screening for a disease in a population?
1) Significant number of persons at risk for the disease in population being screened.
2) Relatively inexpensive and non-invasive test.
3) Test should be sensitive and specific.
4) Early ID of disease should favorably influence the health or welfare of persons with the disease.
A test with a low number of false positives is said to be ____________.
Specific
A test with a low number of false negatives is said to be ____________.
Sensitive
What are the things to consider before ordering any diagnostic test?
1) What’s needed.
2) Noninvasive vs. invasive
3) Speed of analysis/results obtained
4) Health of pt to undergo the test.
5) Risks/benefits of the test.
6) Cost
Tests used to determine the concentration of substances in blood or urine that are frequently altered by disease; to diagnose or reveal disease; to monitor the severity, progression or treatment of disease
Clinical laboratory tests
What are the three tests of the body’s electrical activity?
1) EKG or ECG
2) EEG
3) EMG (electromyogram)
Appears white on X-ray film because high-density tissues (eg. bone) absorbmost of the rays
Radiopaque
Appears darkon X-ray film because low-density tissues allow rays to pass through
Radiolucent
What type of contrast xray is used to view the gastrointestinal tract?
Barium sulfate
What type of contrast xray is used to view bronchi in the lungs
Radiopaque oil
What type of contrast xray is used to view the urinary tract?
Intravenous pyelogram
What type of contrast xray is used to visualize gall stones?
Radiopaque tablets
What type of contrast xray is used to visualize blood flow to identify narrowing or obstructed vessels?
Arteriogram
What type of contrast xray is used to view blood flow through heart and detect abnormal communications between chambers?
Cardiac Catheterization
Xrays that give a 3-D image
Computed tomography (CT) scans
Imaging technique using computer-constructed body images are produced based on the response of hydrogen protons in water molecules when placed in a strong magnetic field
MRI
What are the advantages of MRI over CT?
1) No ionizing radiation
2) Can visualize tissues surrounded by bone better than a CT
Why does an MRI not image bone?
Because of the low water content of bone.
What types of tissues is MRI good for visualizing?
Those with high water content
Studies used to evaluate organ function based on the rate of uptake and excretion of substances labeled with a radioisotope
Radioisotope studies
Radioisotope imaging technique that produces 3-D images (single photon CT scans) to better localize radioactive tracers than simple x-ray detection
SPECT
Measures metabolism of biochemical compounds labeled with positron-emitting isotopes to measure organ function
PET (Positron emission tomography)
Used to examine interior spaces of the body using rigid or flexible tubular instruments equipped with a lens and light source
Endoscopy
Done using a long, tubular, telescope-like instrument passed through the abdominal wall to examine structures within the peritoneal cavity.
Laparoscopy
Endoscopic tube used to view the trachea and major bronchi
Bronchoscope
Endoscopic tube used to view the bladder
Cystoscope
Endoscopic tube used to view the stomach
Gastroscope
Endoscopic tube used to view the esophagus
Esophagoscope
Tubes used to view the colon
Sigmoidoscope and colonoscope
Maps the reflected echoes produced by high-frequency sound waves transmitted into the body; echoes reflect changes in tissue density, producing images
Ultrasound
What type of test is a Pap smear?
Cytologic and histologic examination
