Home Health Care / Testing Devices

Question 1

What hormone does a Pregnancy test pick up?

Answer 1

hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin)

Question 2

What is hCG’s role in the female body?

Answer 2

To enhance Placental development

Question 3

Current Pregnancy tests allow for the prediction of a positive test how many days prior to expected periods?

Answer 3

4-6d prior

Question 4

T or F: Morning urine samples are required for pregnancy tests to be most accurate.

Answer 4

False… Any time of day fine (sensitivity of tests improved greatly over time).

Question 5

How many seconds of urine contact time does a Clearblue Pregnancy Test require?

Answer 5

10secs

Question 6

What are some common reasons for False Positive or False Negative pregnancy test readings?

Answer 6

-Too long to read the test
-Read test too soon
-Did test too soon
-Insufficient urine contact on the strip
-Profasi (hCG drug used in conception therapy that caused lots of false positives, as drug itself was being picked up in urine samples)

Question 7

What hormone does an Ovulation test pick up?

Answer 7

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Question 8

Aside from looking at LH levels, what other methods can be used to predict Ovulation cycles?

Answer 8

Basal Temperature Readings

Question 9

Oral temperature readings used to predict Ovulation are the coolest at what stage of the Ovulation Cycle? Are hottest at what stage?

Answer 9

Coolest: 3d prior to Period & 4d after Period (14d span over period length).

Hottest: Peaks 1d after Ovulation occurs… Stays elevated for the 1wk after Ovulation.

Question 10

To get the most accurate reading of Ovulation Cycles, over how many different cycles should one take Basal Temp Readings?

Answer 10

3 cycles

Question 11

When during an Ovulatory Cycle should one begin tests (as in after how many days from Period Onset)?

Answer 11

On 11th day of next cycle (Day 1 = Period Onset, so 10d after first hits).

Question 12

For abnormal periods that last beyond 28d, how would one estimate their ovulation day on the subsequent cycle?

Answer 12

Subtract 14 from the day of period onset & start 3d prior to that day on next cycle.

Ex: Period Length = 36d
36 - 14 = 22, so start testing on 19th day (3d prior to predicted ovulatory day) of next cycle!

Question 13

Christine has a period length of 32 days. Predict when in her next cycle that she’d be expected to ovulate.

Answer 13

32 - 14 = Day 18 of next cycle

Question 14

Given that Christine is expected to ovulate on Day 18 of her next cycle, when should she initiate ovulation tests?

Answer 14

Day 15 of next cycle

Question 15

T or F: Large Adult Cuff sizes come with standard blood pressure monitors.

Answer 15

False… Must be ordered separately.

Question 16

T or F: It is concerning if a patient has a different BP reading in their non-dominant arm.

Answer 16

False… Totally normal (BP normally higher in dominant arm). However, variance > 10mm Hg is referral territory.

Question 17

As GI Bleeds span the length of the GI Tract (ie. Going from Upper to Lower GI Tract), how does the appearance of blood in fecal matter change?

Answer 17

Upper Bleeds (ie. Stomach & Duodenum) = Dark Black & Tarry
Intermediate Bleeds (ie. Jejunum & Ileum) = Maroon Color
Lower Bleeds (ie. Colon & Rectum) = Bright Red

Question 18

Signs & Symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Answer 18

-Loud snoring
-Episodes where one stops breathing in sleep
-Gasping for air
-Dry mouth upon waking
-Morning headache
-Insomnia
-Hypersomnia (daytime sleepiness)
-Attention deficits

Question 19

How does CPAP work to control Sleep Apnea?

Answer 19

Provides pressurized air (through a mask) that prevents total airway collapse.

Question 20

Are nasal breathing strips, snoring mouthguards or snore relief sprays useful for Sleep Apnea?

Answer 20

All bs… Surgical Excision & CPAP much better options.

Question 21

Graduated Compression support hosiery has higher compression at the ____, whereas lowest compression is at the ____.

Answer 21

ankle (bottom) ; top of the sleeve

Question 22

Graduated Compression hosiery supports blood flow back to the heart with those who have what types of veins?

Answer 22

Varicose

Question 23

What other use (aside from Varicose Veins) does Graduated Compression hosiery have?

Answer 23

DVT Prevention

Question 24

T or F: Compressive Hosiery can easily be taken off manually & has a low risk of ripping due to its interwoven fiber composition.

Answer 24

False… Use the provided tools to take off & put on (as they are easily tearable and are pricey to replace).

Question 25

Beyond what BP reduction does Compression Hosiery require Dr. involvement?

Answer 25

> 20mm Hg

Question 26

Edema control (via Compression Hosiery) takes place at a BP reduction range of what?

Answer 26

30-40mm Hg

Question 27

T or F: Topical Witch Hazel / Haemalis Water applications are effective for treating Varicose Veins.

Answer 27

False… Bullshit products.

Question 28

Who might benefit from Flight Socks?

Answer 28

Patients with >/= 1 CV Risk Factor & on Flight > 6hrs in length.

Question 29

When adjusting one’s Cane height, where should the handle align?

Answer 29

With the wrist

Question 30

It’s estimated that what % of middle-aged women experience urinary leakage? Older women?

Answer 30

MA: 30 - 40%
O: 50%

Question 31

What are the most common Female Urinary Incontinence types?

Answer 31

-Stress
-Urge
-Mixed

Question 32

What sorts of things lead to Stress Incontinence?

Answer 32

-Bladder Weakness
-Sudden Increases in Abdominal Pressure (coughing / laughing / sneezing / lifting)

Question 33

What two factors influence Stress Incontinence in women?

Answer 33

-Menopause
-Pregnancy

Question 34

How can we prevent Stress Incontinence in Females?

Answer 34

-Pelvic Floor Exercises
-Biofeedback
-Intravaginal Devices
-Surgery

Question 35

Surgical interventions to treat Stress Incontinence involves what?

Answer 35

Ligamental transplantation from other body areas (pinches off Urethra & prevents leakage)

Question 36

How do Poise Bladder Supports work? Who are they suitable for? Not suitable for?

Answer 36

-Insert into Vagina & support the nearby Urethra.
-Good for those with Stress Incontinence ; Poor for those with Urge Incontinence.

Question 37

Poise Bladder Supports can be worn for up to how many hours per day?

Answer 37

12hrs

Question 38

What factor in Males can lead to Stress Incontinence?

Answer 38

Post Prostate Surgery

Question 39

What primary physiological mechanism causes Urge Incontinence?

Answer 39

Premature Detrusor Muscle contraction

Question 40

What factors into Urge Incontinence?

Answer 40

-UTIs
-Stroke
-Parkinson’s
-Diabetes
-Often no cause found at all

Question 41

What approach can be used to treat Urge Incontinence?

Answer 41

-Bladder Training
-Kegel (Pelvic Floor) Exercises
-Anti-Spasmodics

Question 42

Describe Overflow Incontinence (Urinary Retention).

Answer 42

-Bladder always full
-Leakage seen (without urge to urinate)
-Men much more affected than women
-Can be due to Diabetic Neuropathy &/or Prostate Enlargement

Question 43

What are the treatment approaches for Overflow Incontinence?

Answer 43

Finasteride (reduce 5-Alpha Reductase enzyme)
Tamsulosin (Alpha Adrenergic Antagonist)
Surgery on Prostate
SM Stimulant

Question 44

T or F: Anti-Cholinergic drugs are good for treating Overflow Incontinence.

Answer 44

FALSE (!!!)

-Worsens Urinary Retention by reducing Bladder contractions.
-However, it HELPS Overactive Bladder (ie. Urge Incontinence).

Question 45

T or F: Oxybutynin (Ditropan = Brand Name) is used for Overflow Incontinence.

Answer 45

FALSE (!!!)

-Is C/I for Urinary Retention. However, is USED to treat Urge Incontinence (ie. Overactive Bladder).

Question 46

T or F: Ileostomy patients are at a much higher risk for dehydration & thus require very tight fluid monitoring.

Answer 46

True! Ileostomy = Entire Colon removed (Colostomy is just part of Colon removed), so the organ largely responsible for water reabsorption is gone.

Question 47

Is the historically used “RICE” pneumonic the most effective way to recover from an injury?

Answer 47

-No… Push is now to gently move affected areas of sprains or strains (as movement improves blood flow to tissues & removes metabolic wastes).

-Also some pushback on using Ice (as resulting vasoconstriction from cooling reduces oxygenation to affected area & inhibits inflammatory responses needed to initiate healing).