Final Flashcards
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone Stimulation
- Done to establish a diagnosis of Addison’s disease (increased ACTH + low cortisol) or Cushing’s syndrome (decreased ACTH + high cortisol)
- Also evaluates pituitary adenomas, malignant ACTH producing tumours, pituitary disease, and hypothalamic disease.
Adrenal Gland Scan
This scan helps to localize the position of a tumour by noting hormonal uptake and storage within the Adrenal Glands.
Aldosterone
- Regulates sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion by the kidneys.
- Involved in regulation of body water, blood pressure, blood volume, electrolyte balance and pH.
- Elevated levels are found in primary and secondary aldosteronism.
Angiography
The process of taking a picture of part of the cardiovascular system. A contrast dye is used to help visualize the vessel.
Antibody Screen
- Identifies serum antibodies, maternal anti-Rh antibodies during pregnancy, and incompatibilities not detected by other tests.
- Main purpose: to determine serum antibodies to RBCs the client will receive by transfusion.
- Routinely done for blood compatibility testing or cross-matching.
Apolipoprotein
The ratio is useful in identifying at-risk persons for coronary artery disease.
Examples: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein)
Arteriography
The process of taking a picture of an artery. A contrast medium is injected (via the femoral artery and brachial artery) to better visualize the artery.
Arthrography
The visualization of a joint using radiographic study (x-ray) after the injection of a radiopaque substance into the joint.
Usually performed on the shoulder or knee, but might be performed on the wrist, hip, ankle, and temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ).
Arthroscopy
- Provides direct visualization of the internal structures of a joint.
- A fibre-optic arthroscope is used.
- The knee is the most common site, but also performed on the shoulder, elbow, hip, wrist, or ankle.
- This procedure is used to diagnose injury/disorders of the knee that cannot be identified by x-ray.
Barium Enema
- The radiological (x-ray) examination of the colon using barium instilled using a rectal tube into the rectum.
- The movement of the barium through the large intestine is visualized by fluoroscopy.
- Useful for detecting small lesions and polyps.
- The bowel must be totally cleaned out prior to the procedure.
Bilirubin
- A substance produced in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow.
- Direct Type: excreted in the GI tract.
- Indirect Type: circulates in the blood.
- Levels are measured using blood or urine samples.
- Many disease processes can cause an increase in both hoes of bilirubin.
Bone Scan
- Produces high-resolution images of the joints and bones.
- Can monitor for degenerative arthritis.
- A radionuclide is injected and will collect in areas of high osteogenesis (Hot spots) or areas of absent osteogenesis (cold spots)
- Can detect a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders.
- Can be used to determine the effectiveness of treatments.
Breast Biopsy
- Examines tissue or fluid that is removed from the breast lesion to diagnose or rule out malignancy.
- Samples may be obtained from a fine needle aspiration, core biopsy, stereotactic guidance, which can all be done using local anesthetic.
Breast Sonagram
- Painless non-invasive test that uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to record breast masses (palpable and nonpalpable).
- Useful if a woman has dense breasts or silicon implants since the beam can penetrate the tissue where mammography may not be able to.
- Sometimes mammography is done first and followed by ultrasound (sonography) to improve diagnostic accuracy.
Candida Antibody
- Candidiasis is a result of a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans, and commonly affects the nails, mucous membranes, and skin.
- If the fungal infection is present in the blood, it can lead to a life-threatening systemic infection.
- People on antibiotics corded Kristiridge therapy have immunological disorders, are pregnant, have diabetes, are obese, or have debilitating chronic illness are at more risk for Candidiasis.
- If cultures/histological studies fail to identify candidiasis, then a blood sample to identify the anti-body is required.
Cardiac Catheterization
Catheter is threaded through an artery or a vein (in the upper groin or arm).
- It reaches the heart, then a radiographic dye is injected (called coronary angiogram).
- The dye outlines the heart vessels and registers the pressures across the heart, vessels, and registers the pressures across the heart valves.
- Measurement of pressures, oxygen saturation, and oxygen content are taken.
Cardiac Isoenzyme
- Enzymes specifically released from the heart muscle. They have differing molecular details than other enzymes.
- Enzymes are released (elevated blood levels will show) when there is tissue damage as in a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
- It may be necessary to take blood samples at intervals to determine ongoing changes to the levels of the cardiac isoenzymes.
Cardiac Nuclear Scan
- Gives information regarding the location and extent of myocardial ischemia and viability of myocardial tissues.
- Radionuclide dye is injected and allowed to circulate through the heart to allow visualization of exercise-induced areas of ischemic cardiac tissue (little or no blood flow) or necrotic cardiac tissue from a previous myocardial infarction.
- This test is normally indicated when a patient has chest pain or known coronary artery disease.
Cardiac Radiography
- Radiographic assessment of the status of the heart and surrounding structures.
- Usually done in conjunction with a routine common chest x-ray.
- This test may be used to confirm placement of a central line, pulmonary artery catheters, temporary pacemaker wires, permanent pacemakers, and other invasive devices.
Carotid Doppler
A non-invasive procedure that examines the arteries supplying the brain (the carotid arteries).
Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination
- Cerebrospinal fluid is collected by a lumbar puncture or from the ventricles of the brain.
- It helps to diagnose meningitis and viral encephalitis.
- It allows for evaluation of colour, pressure, and specific cytological information of the CSF.
Cholangiography
- Radiographic (x-ray) examination of the bile ducts
- Contrast medium is injected intravenously and films are taken of the upper right quadrant at 20 minute intervals for one hour, or until the biliary ducts are visualized.
- Identifies stenosis, obstruction, and calculi of the common bile duct.
Cholecystography
- x-ray examination of the gallbladder after all ingestion of radiopaque dye.
- Diagnoses gallbladder disease such as gallstones, gallbladder, polyps, chronic cholecystitis.
Coccidioidomycosis Skin Test
Determines the presence of infection by the detection of Coccidioides immitis (a fungus)