diagnostics and tests

Question 1

what does an xray scan?

Answer 1

-pictures of body structures
- portable or in medical imaging

contraindicated:
-pregnancy
-the benefits may out way the risks

nursing considerations
-positioning and pain control
-preparing a patient for transfer

Question 2

what does ultrasound do?

Answer 2

non-invasive and non-ionizing radiation

tissues of different composition reflect sound waves differently

a probe or transducer may be placed interiorly and externally

kidney, pancreas, gallbladder, liver, bile ducts, aorta, abdominal cavity, uterus, heart (echocardiogram)

FAST scans or in medical imaging

Question 3

CT scan

Answer 3

computerized analysis of multiple xrays at different layers

more of an 3d image

neoplasms, clots, bleeding, tumours, abscesses, infections

brain, chest, and abdomin common

contains radiation

with contrast dye or not

Question 4

what is an mri?

Answer 4

no exposure to radiation

nuclear imaging study

shows difference more clearly

contraindications:
obesity, patient who cannot remain motionless, metal objects implanted, claustraphobia

may use contrast dye

Question 5

what is an ecg?

Answer 5

uses electrodes to view the electrical impulses in the heart

evaluate arrythmias deffects or damage

sometimes ordered with some drug therapies, electrolyte imbalances, and pulmonary disease

can be a 24 hour format or a snap shot

Question 6

what is a cdc and differential?

Answer 6

complete blood count

provides a lot of information, inexpensive, and quick look

Question 7

what does a cdc include?

Answer 7

RBC count
hemoglobin
hematocrit
RBC indices
WBC and differential
platelet count

Question 8

all about RBC?

Answer 8

contain hemoglobin
lifespan is about 120 days
produced in bone marrow
destroyed by liver and spleen
production regulated by erythropoietin

Question 9

all about hemoglobin?

Answer 9

indirect measure of RBC
trends- day to day, hour to hour
oxygen and co2 carrying capacity
age, sex, smoking, drugs, altitude, can change levels
hydration decreases, dehydration artificially decreases

Question 10

all about hematocrit?

Answer 10

precent of total blood volume that is made up of RBC
normal values vary by age and sex
decreased level r/t anemia and over hydration
increased level r/t dehydration and erythocytosis

Question 11

causes of polycythemia?

Answer 11

COPD
dehydration
high altitude
polycythemia vara

Question 12

causes of anemia?

Answer 12

acute blood loss
leukaemia
nutritional deficit
chronic inflammation
inadequate RBC production

Question 13

causes of leukopenia?

Answer 13

bone marrow failure
big infections
dietary
drugs

Question 14

causes of leukocytosis?

Answer 14

infection or inflammation

Question 15

differential reasons for high levels?

Answer 15

neutrophils
- bacterial/pyogenic infections
lymphocytes
-viral infections
monocytes
-severe infections
eosinophils
-allergic disorders and parasitic infections
basophils
-parasitic infections and some allergy disorders

Question 16

all about platelets?

Answer 16

platelets and fibrin = clot
thrombocytopenia = low
thrombocytosis = high

Question 17

what is PTT?

Answer 17

pro-thrombin time
normal 23-32 seconds
monitored during iv heparin therapy
increased = longer time to clot

Question 18

what is INR?

Answer 18

internationalized normalized ratio

liver disease, biliary disease, warfarin increase values

therpeutic ranges for warfarin therapy

if high= critical value at risk for bleeding

Question 19

what is d-dimer

Answer 19

shows if there is inappropriate clotting

non-specific

first step in ruling out a pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis

Question 20

all about Na?

Answer 20

balance between intake and renal excretion

Question 21

what does potassium indicate?

Answer 21

levels impacted by diuretics and cardiac medications

risk for heart arrhythmia when out of range

Question 22

what is BUN?

Answer 22

blood urea nitrogen

end product of protein metabolism and digestion

can be affected by liver and kidney function

interpreted in context to other results

Question 23

what is creatinine?

Answer 23

by product filtered by the kidneys

can be used to assess kidney function
- levels increased with kidney disease[