diagnostic tests r/t oxygenation

Question 1

laboratory tests

ABGs

Answer 1

purpose:
-arterial blood sample to evaluate how much O2, CO2, and bicarb is in oxygenated blood

prep:
-none

other:
-radial artery is usually used
-more painful

Question 2

laboratory tests

CBC

Answer 2

pupose:
-RBCs, Hgb, WBCs, platelets, Hct are important for oxygen delivery to tissues

prep:
none

other:
-venous

Question 3

laboratory tests

cardiac enxymes (troponin, CK, CK-MB)

Answer 3

purpose:
-blood work that indicates damage to cardiac tissues

prep:
-none

other:
-often drawn every 6 hours to watch for a change in levels over time

Question 4

laboratory tests

cholesterol, lipids, triglycerides

Answer 4

purpose:
-increased levels can lead to impaired cardiac function

prep:
-fast 12 hours prior

Question 5

laboratory tests

cultures (throat or nasal swab; sputum samples)

Answer 5

purpose:
-mucous or saliva is collected and examined under a microscope to determine infectious causing organism

prep:
none

Question 6

cardiac function tests

EKG/ECG

Answer 6

electrodes are placed on the chest

purpose:
-record elctrical impulse through the heart

prep:
none, completed within minutes

other:
abnormal electrical impulses leads to impaired pumping which alters oxygen delivery

Question 7

cardiac function tests

holter monitor

Answer 7

electrodes are placed on the chest

purpose:
-evaluation of electrical activity through the heart over a period of time (several days)

prep:
none

Question 8

cardiac function tests

echocardiogram (thoracic or esophageal)

Answer 8

ultrasound

purpose:
-evaluates structure and function of the heart including valves, impaired structure or function impairs the ability to deliver oxygen

prep:
TTE = none
TEE = NPO (more invasive but more effective)

Question 9

cardiac function tests

cardiac stress test

Answer 9

purpose:
-evaluates the ability of the heart to respond to stress

prep:
-none

other:
-either physical (treadmill) or medical (given med to stress heart)

Question 10

cardiac function tests

cardiac catheterization/angiography

Answer 10

purpose:
-catheter is passed through veins to the cardiac vessels by a physician
-used to diagnose or treat blockages in coronary arteries

prep:
-NPO

other:
-diagnostic or interventional
-watch for risk of bleeding at puncture site post procedure

Question 11

pulmonary function tests

CXR

Answer 11

purpose:
-can evaluate if fluid is present in or around the lungs or heart
-can evaluate collapsed areas of the lungs

prep:
none

Question 12

pulmonary function tests

capnography

Answer 12

purpose:
-indirect measurement of blood flow through the lungs by measuring CO2 from exhaled breath
-more sensitive to hypoventilation then SpO2

prep:
-none

other:
-can be sued to assist in validating NGT placement, ETT placement

Question 13

pulmonary function tests

lung scan/VQ scan

Answer 13

purpose:
-radiologic test to evaluate for pulmonary embolisn

prep:
-IV access
-needs to be able to lay flat
-IV contrast dye is used

Question 14

pulmonary function tests

pulmonary function testing

Answer 14

purpose:
-determines how much (volume) air is exchanged duing breathing

prep:
none

Question 15

pulmonary function tests

thoracentesis

Answer 15

purpose:
-physician inserts a needle into the thoracic space to remove fluid

prep:
-local anesthetic
-invasive procedure can be done at bedside

other:
-RN assist with positiong pt, sample collection, pt monitoring (SpO2, dyspnea, bleeding)

Question 16

pulmonary function tests

bronchoscopy

Answer 16

purpose:
-visualize, or remove debris from bronchioles

prep:
-NPO
-conscious sedation
-local anesthetic

other:
ensure return of gag reflew before offering oral fluid/meds after procedure