Diagnostic Tests

Question 1

Pulse Oximetry

Answer 1

Measures O2 saturation using a probe on the patients finger or ears .

Question 2

ABG (Arterial Blood Gas)

What does it measure

Answer 2

Ph
Partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2)
Partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2)
Bicarbonate

Question 3

ABG (Arterial Blood Gas)

Reason for test

Answer 3

Assess and manage respiratory (ventilation) & metabolic (renal) acid base balance & electrolyte homeostasis.

Assess adequacy of oxygenation

Question 4

Chest x-ray

What can you see?

Answer 4

Lungs, heart, bony thorax, mediastinum, and great vessels

Question 5

CXR

How to

Answer 5

Patient to take deep breath and hold until image taken

Shield ovaries, testicles, & pregnant abdomens

Question 6

Bronchoscope

Answer 6

Tubular instrument with light source & viewing lens inserted into the airway which provides a view of the Larynx, Trachea, Bronchi & Alveoli

Question 7

Reasons for a BRONCHOSCOPY

Answer 7

Diagnostic: visualization & biopsy

Therapeutic: remove foreign body, stop bleeding within bronchus,

Question 8

Spirometry

Answer 8

One of a variety of pulmonary function tests

Machine which measures air volumes.
Can be adjusted to height, weight, race & sex.
Values >80% are normal

Patients maximally inhale then forcefully exhale while being timed.

Question 9

Uses for SPIROMETRY

Answer 9

Provides info about obstructive or restrictive air flow

Supports diagnosis of COPD & chronic restrictive pulmonary disease

Question 10

Sputum culture

Answer 10

Collection of sputum - which must be coughed up from the lungs since saliva is not sputum.

Tests for respiratory infection

Identifies bacteria that grow in culture medium over 1-3 days

Question 11

Sputum sensitivity

Answer 11

Identifies the antibiotic that the bacteria is susceptible or “sensitive” to.

Question 12

Mantoux test

What is it?

Answer 12

Intradermal injection of tubercle bacillus protein derivative.

Question 13

What is a positive Mantoux test?

What does it indicate?

Answer 13

Rash >5mm

Indicates infection OR exposure to tuberculosis
*note: does not differentiate between active or dormant.

Question 14

Acid Fast Bacilli Smear

Answer 14

Tests sputum smear for the presence of Bacilli to support diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Also used to monitor patient’s response to treatment

Question 15

V Q Scan

Answer 15

Nuclear Medicine scan to asses the ventilation/ perfusion ratio.

Useful in diagnosing a pulmonary embolism

Question 16

CT (computed tomography)

Answer 16

Computer generated 3D cross sectional view of body using
X-rays

Can be enhanced by repeating the procedure with IV administered contrast dye (contains Iodine)

Question 17

Lung biopsy

Answer 17

Collection of lung tissue specimen to test for pathology

Cancer, infection, environmental exposure, & familial disease

Question 18

Thoracentesis

Answer 18

Treatment for plueral effusion (excess fluid in the pleural space) by inserting a needle into the pleural space to remove the excess fluid (or, in rare cases, air).

Question 19

D- Dimer

Answer 19

Identifies intravascular clotting
Assesses both thrombin & plasmin activity

Useful in confirming DIC - disseminated intravascular coagulopathy

Question 20

Preggo Test

Answer 20

Measures Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in blood and urine