Diagnostic Procedures Flashcards
Allergy Scratch test
Uses a small needle coated with an allergen to prick into a patient’s skin
Looks for a reaction to the allergen to identify allergies
amniocentesis
Removal of amniotic fluid with a needle under guidance of ultrasound
Used to identify chromosomal or genetic abnormalities in a fetus
angioplasty
Procedure using a catheter with a balloon tip under x-ray guidance to open a blocked or narrowed coronary artery in the heart
endoscopy
Uses a flexible camera to look inside a hollow organ or cavity for diagnosis and treatment
lower GI Series
Used to diagnose abnormalities of the colon and rectum
Barium enema given to allow for clear x-ray images of the colon and rectum
upper GI series
Used to diagnose abnormalities of the upper GI tract (up to the small intestine)
Barium is swallowed to allow for clear x-ray images of the upper GI tract
PAP smear
Used to detect cervical cancer in females
Speculum is introduced into the vagina to allow access to the cervix
Spatula/Brush used to collect cells
Cells preserved in solution or on a slide
Biopsy
Removal of tissue from living patient to determine disease presence
Done is many ways – syringe, needle, lancet, scalpel
EEG
Removal of tissue from living patient to determine disease presence
Done is many ways – syringe, needle, lancet, scalpel
ECG (EKG)
Detects and records the electrical activity of the heart
Uses electrodes located in various locations of the body and an ECG machine
Bronchoscopy
Flexible camera tipped tube used to view the airways and upper lungs to detect any abnormalities in the airways
SPECT
Single-photon emission computerized tomography used to look at the function of an organ
Exercise Stress Test
Screening tool used to check the effects of exercise on the heart
Patient connected to an ECG machine rides an exercise bike while heart rate and rhythm is monitored
Fluoroscopy
Special x-ray machine is used to watch the action of internal organs in a patient to look for abnormalities in function
CT Scan
CT scanner, with and without a contrast drug, is used to create cross-sections of internal structures to look for abnormalities in structures
Colonoscopy
An endoscopy of the colon through a flexible tube inserted through the anus
Bone Density Scan
Bone mineral density test uses an x-ray machine or scanner to diagnose osteoporosis
Bone Density Scan (DEXA)
DEXA Scanner is a more enhanced form of x-ray used to measure bone density
Echogram
This is the image produced from ultrasonography
Looks at all soft structures of the body including a fetus
Echocardiogram
Cardiac ultrasound that shows abnormalities in the structure and flow of blood in the heart
EMG
Electromyography uses small needles or electrodes in or on muscles to determine abnormalities in the electrical activity of skeletal muscle
Ultrasound
Uses ultrasonic waves to visualize internal soft structures, including a fetus to detect and monitor growth and abnormalities
Sigmoidoscopy
Short cameral tipped scope inserted into the rectum to view the sigmoid colon to detect abnormalities in the lower colon
Cholescintigraphy
Using contrast drugs and a scanner, the structure and function of the gall bladder can be evaluated
Laparoscopy
Small camera is inserted through a slit in the skin to directly view internal organs for diagnosis or surgical procedures
Lumbar Puncture
AKA: Spinal Tap
LP syringe is put into the lower spinal area to extract a cerebrospinal fluid
Used to detect infection of the brain and nervous system
MRI Scan
Contrast drugs and MRI scanner used to generate very detailed images of the internal structures
Looks for all abnormalities
Mammography
Uses low energy x-rays to exam the female breast for detection of breast cancer
Otoacoustic Emission Test
A screening tool using a probe containing a microphone and speaker that measures the response of the cochlea to sound
Used it detect hearing defects in newborns
Oximetry
A non-invasive oximetry probe detects oxygen levels in the blood of a patient
PPD Skin Test
Special syringe containing PPD serum is injected under the skin of the forearm to detect tuberculosis
Looks for an immune response indicating possibility of TB
Tonometry
Measures the intraocular pressure of the fluid in the eyes using a tonometer
Urinalysis
Collection of urine for a variety of diagnostic tests
Palpation
Uses hands-on to feel for a structure to determine shape, location, size and firmness
Pulse Rate
Felt with fingers at arterial locations throughout the body
Number of beats of the heart per minute
Rates outside of the norm may indicate disease or illness
Respiration Rate
Measured by watching chest rise and fall
Breaths per minute
Rates outside the norm may indicate disease or illness
Percussion
Tapping on a surface of the body to determine the underlying body structures in the abdomen and thorax
Auscultation
Listening to the internal sounds of the body using a stethoscope to detect normal from abnormal
Blood Pressure
Using a sphygmomanometer and stethoscope, the pressure exerted by the circulating blood on the walls of the blood vessels can be determined
Ophthalmoscopy
AKA: Fundoscopy
Uses fundoscope and mydriatic drops to view the internal structures of the eye
Otoscopy
Using an otoscope to view the TM and outer ear for changes in structure, function and infection
PET scan
Positron emission tomography uses a PET scanner and contrast drugs to produce 3-D images of structures and functions in the body
Used to detect changes in function of body parts
Radioimmunoassay
Special type of blood test used to detect very small amounts of specific substances in the blood
X-rays
Uses electromagnetic radiation to send x-ray particles through the body
Produces images of dense material (bones, dense muscle) to look for fractures and other abnormalities
