Diagnostic Tests Flashcards

1
Q

Papanicolauo (pap) test

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. To test for precancerous cells, as well as changes in cervical cells that may lead to cervical cancer in the future
  2. To test the presence of cervical cancer
  3. To test for HPV which is an STI that can lead to cervical cancer
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2
Q

Papanicolauo (pap) test

Normal values

A

Normal/ negative: no changes were found in cervical cells

Unclear/equivocal/inconclusive: cells look like they could be abnormal, but it was not clear

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3
Q

Papanicolauo (pap) test

Procedure

A

Patient prep: legs spread, feet in holders

Procedure: 
Insert the speculum
Warm speculum and insert
Doctor retrieved a small brush and rub it on cervix
Transfer brush to a bag
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4
Q

Papanicolauo (pap) test

Related information

A

Recommended age 21-65 years old every 3 years

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5
Q

Barium swallow test

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. To test for cancer of head and neck, esophagus
  2. To test for hiatal hernia, which is a bulge in the stomach that develops due to weakened muscle tissue
  3. Abnormalities in the upper GI tract (polyps, narrowing, pouches)
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6
Q

Barium swallow test

Normal values

A

: no abnormalities were found in the digestive system

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7
Q

Barium swallow test

Procedure

A

Patient prep:
eat a low fibre diet 2-3 days before exam, night before no eating or smoking

Procedure:
Drink a Chalky white barium mixture-slightly radioactive
After ingestion fluoroscopy are taken
Patient will lie down or stand

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8
Q

Barium swallow test

Related information

A

Side effects:
Nausea, constipation, white stool
Can’t do this test if pregnant or have glaucoma
I’d have diabetes may skip first dose

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9
Q

Colonoscopy

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. To test for colon cancer
  2. To examine the colon in order to find causes to symptoms a patient might be experiencing (rectal bleeding, constipation, diarrhea)
  3. Examine colon for polyps, these are small clusters of cells that form in the lining of the colon
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10
Q

Colonoscopy

Normal results

A

No abnormalities were found in the colon

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11
Q

Colonoscopy

Procedure

A
Patient prep:
Low fibre diet for 2-3 days
Day before can only drink clear fluids 
May be prescribed laxatives to drink the night before
May be given a sedation or pain meds 
Knees drawn towards chest

Procedure:
Insert the colonscope into the rectum
Will inspect the colon for abnormal bleeding, tumours or polyps - polyps will be removed during this procedure. Biopsies will be taken as well.

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12
Q

Colonoscopy

Related information

A

Risks:
Bad reaction to meds
Bleeding from biopsy site, or polyp removal site
Perforation of the colon or rectum due to mishandling

Recommended to get done 10 years
If negative result every 5 years of family history

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13
Q

Mammography

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Screening- to look for cancer in patients who don’t have symptoms of breast cancer. Monitors changes over time
  2. Diagnostic- if patient finds a lump a dr would order this test
  3. The evaluate breast pain when physical examination and history are not conclusive
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14
Q

Mammography

Normal value

A

Density of breasts

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15
Q

Mammography

Procedure

A

Remove jewelry
Stand in front of machine and place breast on X-ray plate
A separate plate will come on top
Patient will hold breath

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16
Q

Mammography

Related information

A
Interfering factors:
Breast implants
Previous breast surgery
Wearing deodorant 
Pregnancy
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17
Q

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Collect CSF for lab analysis can help diagnose cancers involving brain for spinal cord
  2. Measure pressure of CSF in the space around the spinal cord and remove CSF if necessary to decrease pressure in that space
  3. Inject spinal anaesthetics, chemotherapy, drugs or meds. Can also inject dye or radioactive substance into CSF to make diagnostic images of the fluids flow
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18
Q

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Normal values

A

Appearance is normally clear and colourless

Decreased white blood cells is normal

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19
Q

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Procedure

A

Sit and lean forward or lie on side with knees to chest

Local anesthetic is injected into patients lower back

Thin hollow needle is inserted between 2 lumbar vertebrae into the spinal cord

CSF pressure is measured

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20
Q

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

Related information

A

Risk:
Bleeding at puncture site, back pain, post-lumbar puncture headaches
Brain stem herniation

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21
Q

Bone marrow Aspiration

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Diagnose blood or bone marrow cancers such as luekemia or multiple myeloma
  2. Collect a sample of bone marrow for medical procedures such as cell transplant
  3. Check response to treatment for bone marrow condition or cancer
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22
Q

Bone marrow Aspiration

Normal value

A

Normal bone marrow contains 0-5% blasts

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23
Q

Bone marrow Aspiration

Procedure

A

Numbing cream to iliac crest

Patient is prone or side lying

Sedative is given

Doctor makes a small incision, then insert a hallow needle through the bone into the bone marrow. A syringe is attached to the needle and bone marrow is extracted

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24
Q

Bone marrow Aspiration

Related information

A

Sharp pain or stinging

Complications are rare but include bleeding or long lasting discomfort at site of incision

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25
Q

CT-thorax

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Detection and diagnosis- lung tumour/ shape size and location
  2. Metastasis- used to see if cancer has spread to the chest from distant sites
  3. Helps diagnosis other chest abnormalities
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26
Q

CT-thorax

Procedure

A

Iv contrast may be required
Camera moves around patient
3D image

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27
Q

CT-thorax

Related information

A

Low levels of ionizing radiation

28
Q

MRI brain

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Detection and diagnosis- brain tumours
  2. Signs/symptoms-chronic headaches
  3. Helps with diagnosis of a variety of brain conditions
29
Q

MRI brain

Procedure

A

Like CT

Takes 30-45 minutes

30
Q

MRI brain

Related information

A

Painless noninvasive

No risk

31
Q

Ultrasound of breast

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Screening tool
  2. Additional diagnostic evaluation
  3. Signs/symptoms- clear or bloody nipple discharge
32
Q

Ultrasound (breast)

Procedure

A

Avoid applying powders and lotion
Gel is applied to breast
Images captured

33
Q

Colposcopy

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Patient experience bleeding after intercourse
  2. Follow up procedure to abnormal Pap test
  3. Help diagnose cervical cancer (and genital warts)
34
Q

Colposcopy

Normal value

A

No inflammation of cervix, vagina, no visible warts

No abnormal cells found

35
Q

Colposcopy

Procedure

A

Legs apart
Speculum is used
Vagina/cervix swabbed with iodine to highlight any abnormal areas and clear away mucous
Colposcope inserted and images take as needed

36
Q

Colposcopy

Related information

A

10-20 minute procedure

Light bleeding and dark discharge

37
Q

Bronchoscopy

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Cough blood, or chronic coughing
  2. Diagnose lung infection, disease, cancer
  3. Allows to take biopsies for further testing- spread to lymph nodes
38
Q

Bronchoscopy

Normal value

A

No trouble breathing, coughing

Clean airways, no blockage, cysts, or pus

39
Q

Bronchoscopy

Procedure

A
Flexible or rigid bronchoscope 
Rigid- general anesthesia used
Flexible- local anesthetic used, numbs
- inserted through nose or mouth down trachea till bronchi
- examine trachea, bronchi, lung
- biopsy taken and sent to lab
40
Q

Bronchoscopy

Related information

A

Can’t eat or drink after procedure
Side effects:
Bleeding, infection, trouble breathing, heart attack collapse lung

41
Q

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

Reasons why this test be ordered

A
  1. Early screening test for colorectal cancer
  2. Help diagnose other conditions- ulcers hemorrhoids, polyps
  3. Symptoms: pain and difficultly passing feces blood in stool
42
Q

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

Normal value

A

No blood in stool

No pain passing feces and regular bowel movements

43
Q

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

Procedure

A

Common test: gFOBT (guiac smear test)
Use of a kit:
Collect sample from 3 separate bowel movements
Use provided applicator to smear stool sample
Date and seal
Mail to lab

44
Q

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)

Related information

A
7 days prior to testing: 
Don’t take non-steroidal, anti inflammatory dugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen 
No vitamin C
3 days prior:
No red meat

All equals false results

45
Q

Bone scintigraphy (bone scan)

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Used to find bone metastasis and cancer that originated from bone
  2. Can be used to detect osteomyelitis
  3. Can be used to diagnose broken bones not visible on X-ray eg small stress fractures
46
Q

Bone scintigraphy (bone scan)

Normal value

A

Abnormalities appear different than normal bone depending if they absorbed more or less of the radiotracer

47
Q

Bone scintigraphy (bone scan)

Procedure

A

Radiotracer is given to patient through an injection in their arm, takes 4 hours to settle in bones

Radiotracer produces gamma radiation which is turned into a image via a gamma camera and SPECT

48
Q

Bone scintigraphy (bone scan)

Related information

A

Patient should not take any medication that contains barium or bismuth before getting a bone scan they can affect the results.

May cause allergic reaction

49
Q

Cystoscopy

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Can be used to diagnose an enlarged prostate where the cytoscope passes prostate gland
  2. Patient is presenting symptoms: blood in urine, painful urination
  3. Diagnostic tool for bladder cancer, blockage, cytitis, and bladder stones
50
Q

Cystoscopy

Procedure

A

Patient takes a course of antibiotics before procedure
Local anesthesia is used on urethra and given a general anesthetic
Bladder is filled with sterile solution to inflate it
A camera is inserted
Examines the lining of bladder

51
Q

Cystoscopy

Related information

A

Risk of infection
Can cause blood in urine
Painful urination after procedure
Drink lots of water afterwards 500ml every 2 hrs

52
Q

Digital rectum exam DRE

reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Diagnostic test for prostate cancer
  2. Blood in stool, suspect change in bowel habits or rectal bleeding
  3. Also used to check uterus and ovaries as part of a pelvic exam
53
Q

Digital rectum exam DRE

Normal value

A

If prostate not enlarged

No growths or tumours present in rectum

54
Q

Digital rectum exam DRE

Procedure

A

Patient will lie on side in fetal position or bend forward

Dr will insert digit into rectum and will feel for bumps, hardening or abnormalities of the prostate

55
Q

Digital rectum exam DRE

Related information

A

Urge to urinate whole procedure is done

56
Q

Multi gated acquisition cardiac scan (MUGA)

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Some types of chemo may damage heart
  2. May cause congestive heart failure (CHF)
  3. Long term effects due to radiation therapy to the chest
57
Q

Multi gated acquisition cardiac scan (MUGA)

Normal values

A

A result of 50% or higher is considered normal

58
Q

Multi gated acquisition cardiac scan (MUGA)

Procedure

A

Attach electrodes to patients chest monitor heart rate on EKG

IV is inserted into arm

Patient is laying on table with a radioactive tracer is injected

Gamma camera is placed above heart to analyze the radioactive red blood cells being pumped through the heart

Images are taken and used to calculate your ejection fraction

59
Q

Multi gated acquisition cardiac scan (MUGA)

Related information

A

Possible allergies

Very small dose

60
Q

Positron emission tomography

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Help diagnose certain cancers
  2. See if the cancer has spread throughout the body
  3. Measure vital functions (blood flow and sugar, oxygen use)
61
Q

Positron emission tomography

Normal values

A

Less hot spots, malignant cells use sugar as energy source

62
Q

Positron emission tomography

Procedure

A

No food or drink 4-6 hours prior
Avoid tobacco alcohol caffeine and exercise for 24 hours
Inject radioactive material into vein, requires about 1 hour to travel through body and get absorbed by cells
Sit or lie down
Exam table moves through scanner
Scanner detects radioactive material and creates 3D images

63
Q

Positron emission tomography

Related information

A

Allergic reaction may occur

May expose fetus of pregnant women to radiation

64
Q

Laryngoscopy

Reasons why this test might be ordered

A
  1. Used to obtain biopsy samples of vocal cords/ areas of throat
  2. Treat problems early cancers with small laser
  3. Throat/voice problems
65
Q

Laryngoscopy

Normal value

A

No evidence of growths
No signs of inflammation or larynx
Looks normal

66
Q

Laryngoscopy

Procedure

A

Indirect:
Local anesthetic sprayed onto throat to numb and prevent gagging, dr wears head mirror with a light

Direct: anesthetic spray inserts a thin and flexible scope into your nose and moves it down your throat

Direct rigid: general anesthetic and used to do I biopsy, remove polyps or laser treatment. Once unconscious, doctor inserts a rigid laryngoscope down throat to remove tissue

67
Q

Laryngoscopy

Related information

A
Bleeding in the throat
Hoarseness 
Infection 
Reactions to anesthesia 
Swelling