Testing Devices Flashcards
How do pregnancy tests work?
They measure human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone rises after ovulation and will peak 10 weeks after implantation.
Pregnancy tests try to detect hCG. IF hCG is detected, the woman taking the test is pregnant
Modern tests can pick up hCG after 4-6 days after ovulation
What happens if a pregnancy test is taken earlier than 4-5 days after ovulation?
The accuracy of the test drops
Use multiple test to be more confident in the pregnancy test’s result. Do this even if you administer the test 4-5 days after ovulation
What can cause false positives and negatives in pregnancy tests?
Less likely to occur with more modern pregnancy tests
But the following factors caused a lot of invalid or inaccurate results:
Waiting too long to read the test
Reading test too soon
Doing test too soon
Insufficient contact onto strip
hCG hormone treatment in conception therapy
How can ovulation be detected by the patient?
Basal temperature slightly increases (+0.5*C) on the day of ovulation. Body temperatures remain elevated for a few day after
How can ovulation be predicted?
Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels spike in the days before ovulation. Ovulation occurs halfway through the menstrual cycle. Women know when their cycles start, so they should start testing for luteinizing hormone a few days before that expected halfway point
Are all menstrual cycles 28 days long?
No, but 70% of women have a 28 day menstrual cycle
Other women have a longer cycle
What is the difference between differently priced BP monitors?
They are equally accurate and precise. You are paying for the ability to save recording and other fancy features
Why do patients need to use the appropriate cuff size?
Using the right cuff size ensures more accurate readings
Do most patients with high blood pressure have a BP monitor?
No, but they should get one to help them monitor BP outside of MD visits
Are pharmacy BP machines effective?
They lack standardization and any pharmacist would never make therapeutic decisions based off readings from a pharmacy BP monitor
What is the colour of feces in patients with upper GI bleeds?
Dark tarry stools
What is the colour of feces in patients that have lower GI bleeds?
More red as it gets more distal (less time to digest blood)
What are some test that can detect blood in the feces (Fecal Occult Blood Testing)?
FIT test: Probe is inserted into the anus and a sample is taken. It is then put into a container that has a reagent that will produce a distinct result if the sample contained blood
Hemoccult II SENSA: Wooden stick is poked into feces on three different occasions. The sticks are collected in a container and sent to a lab for a result
