Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic Tests
DEFINITONS
PURPOSE
INVASIVE/ NONINVASIVE -Non-invasive BEFORE o Tell the patient that he need not restrict food or fluids. o Make sure that the patient has signed an appropriate consent form. o Note and report all allergies. o A claustrophobic patient may require sedation or an open MRI to reduce anxiety. o Instruct the patient to remove any metal objects hes wearing or carrying. o Warn the patient that the machine makes loud clacking sounds.
PREPARATIONS DURING o If the patient is to receive a contrast medium, an I.V. line is started and the medium is administered before the procedure. o The patient is checked for metal objects at the scanner room door. o The patient is placed in the supine position on a padded scanning table. o The table is positioned in the opening of the scanning gantry. o A call bell or intercom is used to maintain verbal contact. AFTER o Tell the patient to resume his normal diet and activities unless otherwise indicated. o Monitor vital signs. o Watch for orthostatic hypotension.
- Uses a powerful magnetic field and radio frequency waves to produce computerized images of internal organs and tissues.
- To obtain images of internal organs and tissues not readily visible on standard X-rays.
pH, urine
- Measures
-To measure
-Invasive
how acidic or alkaline (basic) the urine is; may range from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic).
- Also called an erythrocyte count, part of a complete blood count. - Detects the number of red blood cells in a microliter, or cubic millimeter, of a whole blood.
- To provide data for calculating MCV, MCH, which reveal RBC size and Hb content -To support other hematologic test for diagnosing anemia or polycythemia
-Invasive
o Tell the patient to avoid foods that will alter pH, such as dairy products and citrus foods. o Tell the patient to avoid medications such as antacids that will alter pH. o Explain to the patient that the RBC count evaluates the number of blood cells detects possible blood disorders. o Tell the patient that the test requires blood sample. o Explain to the patient that he may feel slight discomfort from the needle puncture and the tourniquet.
o Collect a urine sample. o Test the sample with litmus paper test strips or reagent test strips.
o For adults and older children, draw venous blood into a 3-4.5 ml ethylenediaminete traacetic acid sodium metabisulfite solution tube. o For younger children, collect capillary blood in a microcollection device. o Invert the tube gently several times to mix the sample and the anticoagulant. o Fill the collection tube completely
Lung biopsy
-Obtains a pulmonary tissue specimen for histologic examination (three types). -Needle biopsy is performed when the lesion is readily accessible, when it originates in the lung parenchyma, or when it`s affixed to the chest walls. Transbronchial biopsy is removal of multiple tissue specimens through a fiber-optic bronchoscope. -Open biopsy is appropriate for a wellcircumscribed lesion that may require
- To confirm the diagnosis of diffuse parenchymal pulmonary disease. To confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary lesions.
-Invasive
o Make sure that the patient has signed an appropriate consent form. o Note and report all allergies. o Check the patients history for hypersensitivity to local anesthetic. o Instruct the patient to fast after midnight before the procedure. o The patient will receive chest X-ray and blood studies before the biopsy. o Give the patient a mild sedative 30 minutes before the biopsy.
o The procedure depends on the type of approach: needle, transbronchial, and open-biopsy. o Tissue specimens are obtained for histologic examinations. o Specimens are placed in appropriate and properly labelled containers. o Repeat the chest X-ray immediately after the biopsy is complete.
o Instruct the patient to resume his normal diet. o Monitor vital signs, intake and output, respiratory status, pulse oximetry, and breath sounds. o Watch for bleeding and infection. o Coughing or movement during the biopsy can cause pneumothorax.
resection.
Albumin
-Measure the amount of albumin in serum - Most abundant protein, composing almost 54% of plasma proteins.
-To help determine whether a patient has liver disease or kidney disease
-Invasive
o Tell the patient that theres no need for fluid restrictions. o Explain the venipuncture procedure. o Explain that certain medications can increase albumin measurement. These include anabolic steroids, androgens, growth hormones, and insulin. The patient may need to stop these drugs prior to the test.
o Explain to the patient that he may experience slight discomfort from the tourniquet and the needle puncture. o Perform a venipuncture and collect 5-10 ml in a red-top tube. o Follow standard precautions when collecting the sample.
o Apply direct pressure to the venipuncture site until bleeding stops. o Encourage the patient to eat a diet high in protein if not contarindicated.