chapter 3 Flashcards
most diagnoses can be made from
detailed history and physical examinations
detailed history
circumstances of emergence of problem, description of severity, quality, and timing of symptoms
physical examination
visual inspection, inspection with specialized instruments
- auscultation, percussion and palpation
history and physical examination are supplemented by
special procedures, radiologic tests, laboratory tests
diagnosing diseases early requires regular
dental appointments, well-baby/child exams, yearly physicals
screening
attempting to discover disease before it manifests
- goal is to cure or delay progression of disease
screening techniques
patient history, physical examination, targeted laboratory and radiologic tests
- allows for treating in early stages
to be a successful screening test
- suitable groups for screening - a significant number of persons must be at risk for the disease
- suitable screening tests - relatively inexpensive, noninvasive
- benefits of screening
- screening for genetic disease
examples of preventable diseases
smallpox, measles, whooping cough, dental caries and periodontal disease
methods of disease prevention
lifestyle and behavior changes, vaccination, public health improvments
test
analysis performed on specimen removed from pateint
procedure
involves some manipulation of patient beyond that usually done during physical examination
diagnostic tests
any approach to gather information for making a clinical diagnosis
what are diagnostic tests utilized for?
diagnosis to identify disease, monitoring treatment, screening, assessment of risk, prognosis, detection of complications
accuracy
are the results of tests an indication of whats being measured
precision
ability of test to provide same result every time it is used
sensitivity
ability of test to be positive in the presence of disease
highly sensitive tests
likely to come back with more false positives
risk/benefit/cost ration
there should be a benefit if there is a cost
extent of abnormality
disease is a continuum, degree of abnormality important, greater variance from normal, more likely disease is present (how far are you from the mean)
disease vs health
presence or absence of disease, do not refer to signs or symptoms
x-ray
differing absorption properties of tissues
cons: uses radiation
computed tomography
3D X-RAY, good for imaging of internal organs
cons: high dose radiation, balance whether to order one or not
magnetic resonance imaging
uses movement of hydrogen atoms to generate image
pros - does not use x-rays, sensitive
cons - might be claustrophobic, expensive, can’t use if patient has any metal in their body