diagnostics and tests Flashcards
what does an xray scan?
-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
what does ultrasound do?
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
CT scan
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
what is an mri?
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
what is an ecg?
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
what is a cdc and differential?
complete blood count
provides a lot of information, inexpensive, and quick look
what does a cdc include?
RBC count
hemoglobin
hematocrit
RBC indices
WBC and differential
platelet count
all about RBC?
contain hemoglobin
lifespan is about 120 days
produced in bone marrow
destroyed by liver and spleen
production regulated by erythropoietin
all about hemoglobin?
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
all about hematocrit?
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
causes of polycythemia?
COPD
dehydration
high altitude
polycythemia vara
causes of anemia?
acute blood loss
leukaemia
nutritional deficit
chronic inflammation
inadequate RBC production
causes of leukopenia?
bone marrow failure
big infections
dietary
drugs
causes of leukocytosis?
infection or inflammation
differential reasons for high levels?
neutrophils
- bacterial/pyogenic infections
lymphocytes
-viral infections
monocytes
-severe infections
eosinophils
-allergic disorders and parasitic infections
basophils
-parasitic infections and some allergy disorders
all about platelets?
platelets and fibrin = clot
thrombocytopenia = low
thrombocytosis = high
what is PTT?
pro-thrombin time
normal 23-32 seconds
monitored during iv heparin therapy
increased = longer time to clot
what is INR?
internationalized normalized ratio
liver disease, biliary disease, warfarin increase values
therpeutic ranges for warfarin therapy
if high= critical value at risk for bleeding
what is d-dimer
shows if there is inappropriate clotting
non-specific
first step in ruling out a pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis
all about Na?
balance between intake and renal excretion
what does potassium indicate?
levels impacted by diuretics and cardiac medications
risk for heart arrhythmia when out of range
what is BUN?
blood urea nitrogen
end product of protein metabolism and digestion
can be affected by liver and kidney function
interpreted in context to other results
what is creatinine?
by product filtered by the kidneys
can be used to assess kidney function
- levels increased with kidney disease[
