Investigations/Tests Flashcards
Chest X-Ray
Chest X-ray can help spot abnormalities or disease of the airways, blood vessels, bones, heart and lungs.
Symptoms such as:
Chest pain, fever, persistent cough, sob can caused by:
Broken ribs, collapsed lung, emphysema, heart failure, lung cancer, pneumonia, pneumothorax
Note: X-ray dangerous for pregnant women
FBC - Full blood count name a few common tests
Erythrocyte(RBC) (haemoglobin):
low- suggest anaemia, poor diet or condition causing internal bleeding
high- suggest lung disease or bone marrow problems.
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR):
This test measures how quickly RBC fall to the bottom of a test tube the faster, the more likely they are to having high levels of inflammation.
Sputum culture
To find bacteria or fungi that maybe causing an infection. Test will be done to identify the best antibiotic to treat infection.
Arterial Blood Gases(ABGs)
A blood test using an artery.
It measures arterial oxygen tension(PaO2), carbon dioxide tension(PaCO2), and acidity(ph) also oxyhemoglobin saturation(SaO2).
This provides readings of ph levels, partial pressure of CO2 and O2 levels, and bicarbonate levels in blood.
Mainly used in pulmonary and critical care to determine gas exchange.
Peak Expiratory Flow
A small hand held device used to measure a patients ability to blow out. Which measures airflow through the Bronchi and thus the degree of obstruction.
Echocardiogram(echo)
An Echocardiogram(echo) is an ultrasound scan of the heart. This scan gives accurate pictures of the heart muscle, the heart chambers and structure within the heart such as the valves.
Electrocardiograph(ECG)
ECG provides a reading of the electrical activity of the heart.
It picks up electrical impulses generated by the polarisation and depolarisation of the cardiac tissue and translates this into waves.
This measures the rate and regularity of the heartbeats.
ECG leads are what
3 or 5 lead can be continuously viewed on a monitor.
12 lead is a one off reading printed out in paper.
Placement of these leads are:
3- left and right shoulder and left side
5- right shoulder and intercostal, left shoulder and intercostal, and left side.
12- 2 ankles, 2 wrists, 2 4th intercostal either side of sternum, rest following to the left.
FBC common test
Results:
Platelets- (clotting) norm
low- suggest a viral infection or autoimmune condition.
high- inflammatory condition, infection, bone marrow.
International normalised ratio(INR):
Monitors the dose of anticoagulants(warfin)
FBC common test
Leukocytes(WBC) (fight infection):
low- suggest bone marrow problems, bone marrow cancer, viral infection, low due to chemotherapy.
high- fighting off infection, rare cases leukaemia
FBC additional test are
Electrolyte test:
The 3 main test are
Sodium:
Low- caused by certain Meds i.e diuretics
High- caused by dehydration, uncontrolled diabetes, persistent diarrhoea
Potassium:
Low- caused by Meds, heavy sweating, persistent vomiting or diarrhoea.
High- kidney failure, Meds such as ace inhibitors
Chloride
Blood Glucose test: usually by a bm kit if diagnosed with diabetes
Thyroid test: low levels of hormone could be thyroid condition.
ABG’s: check gas exchange in blood and ph balance.
Blood cholesterol: check for hyperlipidemia.
What is bloods 2 elements
Plasma and cells
Name some electrolytes
Sodium Potassium Chloride Calcium Magnesium Bicarbonate Phosphate Sulfate
Name some medical teams/departments
Consultants/Doctors/GP Pharmacists Psychologist/Psychiatrist Occupational therapist(OC) Speech and language therapist(SALT) Chiropodist Dieticians Chaplains Voluntary organisations/ Charities Social workers District nurses Health visitors Home carers
