Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures Flashcards
assessment techniques
sequence of procedures designed to evaluate the health status of a patient
auscultation
listening to the heart, bowel, and lungs with or without a stethoscope to assess the presence and quality of sounds
inspection
general observation of patient as a whole, progressing to specific body areas
percussion
tapping a body structure with the hand or fingers to assess consistency and the presence or absence of fluids within the underlying structure.
endoscopy
visual examination of a body cavity or canal using a specialized lighted instrument called an endoscope.
blood chemistry analysis
lab test, usually performed on serum, to determine biochemical imbalances, abnormalities, and nutritional conditions.
complete blood count (CBC)
broad screening test used to evaluate red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to determine anemias, infections, and other diseases.
computed tomography (CT)
imaging technique that rotates an x-ray emitter around the area to be evaluated and measures the intensity of transmitted rays from different angles.
fluoroscopy
technique in which x-rays are directed through the body to a fluorescent screen that displays internal structures in continuous motion.
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
technique that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field, rather than an x-ray beam, to produce hightly detailed, multiplanar, cross-sectional views of soft tissues
nuclear scan
technique in which a radioactive material (radiopharmaceutical) called a tracer is introduced into the body (inhaled, ingested, or injected), and a specialized camera (gamma camera) produces images of organs and structures
positron emission tomography
computed tomography records the positrons (positively charged particles) emitted from a radiopharmaceutical to produce a cross-sectional image of the metabolic activity of the body tissues to determine the presence of disease.
radiography
technique in which x-rays are passed through the body or area and captured on a film to generate an image; also called x-ray
single-photon emission computed tomography
radiological technique that integrates compound tomography (CT) and a radioactive material (tracer) injected into the bloodstream to visualize blood flow to tissues and organs
ultrasonography (US)
high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are directed at soft tissue and reflected as “echoes” to produce an image on a monitor of an internal body structure; also called ultrasound, sonography, and echo.
biopsy
removal of a representative tissue sample from a body site for microscopic examination, usually to establish a diagnosis
excisional
biopsy in which the entire lesion is removed
incisional
biopsy in which only a small sample of the lesion is removed
ablation
removal of a body part, pathway, or function by surgery, chemical destruction, electrocautery, freezing, or radio frequency.
anastomosis
surgical joining of two ducts, vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another
curettage
scraping of a body cavity with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette
electrocauterization
use of an electrically activated instrument to burn and destroy diseased tissue
incision and drainage
incision made to allow the free flow of fluids and pus from a wound, abscess, or body cavity.
laser surgery
use of a high intensity laser light beam to remove diseased tissues to stop bleeding, or for cosmetic purposes.
revision
surgical procedure used to replace or compensate for a previously implanted device or correct an undesirable result or effect of a previous surgery.
allergy skin test
any test in which a suspected allergen or sensitizer is applied to or injected into the skin to determine the patient’s sensitivity to it
intradermal
skin test that identifies suspected allergens by subcutaneously injecting small amounts of extracts of the suspected allergens and observing the skin for a subsequent reaction
patch
skin test that identifies allergic contact dermatitis by applying a suspected allergen to a patch, which is then taped on the skin, usually the forearm, and observing the area 24 hours later for an allergic response
scratch
skin test that identifies suspected allergens by placing a small quantity of the suspected allergen on a lightly scratched area of the skin; also called puncture test or prick test
culture and sensitivity
lab test to determine the presence of pathogens in patients with suspected wound infections and identify the appropriate drug therapy to which the organism responds
frozen section (FS)
ultrathin slice of tissue from a frozen specimen for immediate pathological examination
needle
removal of a small tissue sample for examination using a hollow needle, usually attached to a syringe
punch
removal of a small core of tissue using a hollow punch
shave
removal of elevated lesions using a surgical blade
Mohs
procedure that involves progressive removal and examination of layers of cancer-containing skin until only cancer-free tissue remains; also called micrographic surgery
skin graft
transplantation of healthy tissue to an injured site
allograft
transplantation of healthy tissue from one person to another person; also called homograft
autograft
transplantation of healthy tissue from one site to another site in the same individual
synthetic
transplantation of artificial skin produced from collagen fibers arranged in a lattice pattern
xenograft
transplantation (dermis only) from a foreign donor (usually a pig) and transferred to a human; also called heterograft
chemical peel
chemical removal of the outer layers of skin to treat acne scarring and general keratoses, also called chemabrasion
cryosurgery
use of subfreezing temperature (commonly liquid nitrogen) to destroy or eliminate abnormal tissue such as tumors, warts, and unwanted cancerous or infected tissue
debridement
removal of necrotized tissue from a wound by surgical excision, enzymes, or chemical agents
fulguration
tissue destruction by means of high-frequency electric current
gastrointestinal endoscopy
visual examination of the gastrointestinal tract using a flexible fiberoptic instrument
hepatitis panel
panel of blood tests that identifies the specific virus hepA (HAV) hep B (HBV) or hep C (HCV) that is causing hepatitis by testing serum using antibodies to each of these antigens
liver function tests (LFTs)
group of blood tests that evaluate liver injury, liver function, and conditions commonly associated with the biliary tract
serum bilirubin
measurement of the level of bilirubin in the blood
stool culture
test to identify microorganisms or parasites present in feces that are causing a gastrointestinal infection
stool guaiac
test that applies a substances called guaiac to a stool sample to detect the presence of occult (hidden) blood in the feces;
lower gastrointestinal series
radiographic images of the rectum and colon following administration of barium into the rectum
oral cholecystography (OCG)
radiographic images taken of the gallbladder after administration of a contrast material containing iodine, usually in the form of a tablet
upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS)
radiographic images of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine following oral administration of barium
anastomosis
surgical joining of two ducts, vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another
ileorectal
surgical connection of the ileum and rectum after total colectomy, as is sometimes performed in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
intestinal
surgical connection of two portions of the intestines
appendectomy
excision of a diseased appendix using an open or laparoscopic procedure
laparoscopic
minimally invasive appendectomy using three small abdominal incisions while monitoring an enlarged image of the surgical site projected on a monitor
bariatric surgery
group of procedures that treat morbid obesity
vertical banded gastroplasty
vertical stapling of the upper stomach near the esophagus to reduce it to a small pouch and insertion of a band that restricts food consumption and delays its passage from the pouch, causing a feeling of fullness.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB)
stapling the stomach to decrease size and shortening jejunum and connecting it to the small stomach pouch, causing the base of the duodenum leading from the nonfunctioning portion of the stomach to form a Y configuration, which decreases the pathway of food through the intestine, thus reducing absorption of calories and fats
colostomy
forms an opening by drawing the healthy end of the colon through an incision in the anterior abdominal wall and suturing it into place
lithotripsy
crushing a stone and eliminating its fragments surgically or using ultrasonic shock waves
paracentesis
remove fluid from the abdomen using a long, thin needle, inserted through the belly; abdomniocentesis
polypectomy
excision of a polyp
nasogastric intubation
insertion of a nasogastric tube through the nose into the stomach to relieve gastric distention by removing gas, food, or gastric secretions, instill medication, food, or fluids; or obtain a specimen for lab analysis
Mantoux test
tuberculosis screening test in which an injection of tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) is placed just beneath the surface of the skin to identify a previous exposure to tuberculosis
oximetry
noninvasive method of monitoring the percentage of hemoglobin (Hg) saturated with oxygen; pulse oximetry
polysomnography
test of sleep cycles and stages using electroencephalograms (EEGs)
pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
series of tests to aid in diagnosis of lung diseases and evaluate effectiveness of treatments
spirometry
PFT that measures how much and how quickly air moves in and out of the lungs
bronchoscopy
visual examination of the bronchi using an endoscope
laryngoscopy
visual examination of larynx to detect tumors, foreign bodies, nerve or structural injury, or other abnormalities
mediastinoscopy
visual examination of the mediastinal structures, including the heart, trachea, esophagus, bronchus, thymus, and lymph nodes
arterial blood gas (ABG)
test that measures dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood
sputum culture
microbial test used to identify disease-causing organisms of the lower respiratory tract, especially those that cause pneumonias.
sweat test
measurement of the amount of salt in sweat
throat culture
test used to identify pathogens, especially group A streptococci
ventilation-perfusion
nuclear test scan that evaluates airflow and blood flow in the lungs for evidence of a blood clot in the lungs
pleurectomy
excision of part of the pleura, usually the parietal pleura
pneumonectomy
excision of a lung or a portion of the lung, commonly for treatment of cancer
septoplasty
surgical repair of a deviated nasal septum that is usually performed when the septum is encroaching on the breathing passages or nasal structures
thoracenteseis
surgical puncture and drainage of the pleural cavity; also called pleurocentesis or thoracocentesis
tracheostomy
surgical procedure in which an opening is made in the neck and into the trachea into which a breathing tube may be inserted.
aerosol therapy
lung treatment using various techniques to deliver medication in mist form directly to the lungs or air passageways
antral lavage
washing or irrigating of the paranasal sinuses to remove mucopurulent material in an immunosuppressed patient or one with known sinusitis that has failed to respond to medical management
endotracheal intubation
procedure in which a plastic tube is inserted into the trachea to maintain an open airway
postural drainage
method of positioning a patient so that gravity aids in the drainage of secretions from the bronchi and lobes of the lungs to make breathing easier
