Basic Categories of Diagnostic Tests

Those that

measure

performance

Those that take

something out of

the body

(specimen) to

study

Those that look at

the body

through film

or sound

Those that use

hollow tubes

and fiber optics

to look inside

the body

directly

heart rate, lung function,

visual acuity

EndoscopyBlood test, urinalysis,

fecalysis, CSF analysis

x-rays, scans, UTZ

What this test will tell me?

What is the purpose?What to expect?

What are the risks?

What are the

normal

findings?

How is it performed? How

long does it take?

What will I do

before, during &

after the test?

1. Urinalysis

2. Fecalysis

3. Venipuncture

4. Semen Analysis

5. Lumbar Puncture

6. Biopsy

7. Bone Marrow Aspiration

Those that TAKE something

out of the body

1.URINALYSIS

Urinalysis

- Look for problems with the urine and the

urinary system

- Possible results:

- red, reddish or brown color

- orange

- hazy/cloudy

Urinalysis

- Nursing Responsibility:

1. Prep: washing of perineal area

2. Instruction: 50 ml ; clean catch

midstream urine

2. FECALYSIS

Fecalysis

- Purpose: suspected enteric infection or

infestation

Nursing Responsibility:

- Instruction: 1 inch of stool

3. VENIPUNCTURE

Venipuncture

- Obtain blood for numerous tests

Venipuncture Procedure

Sample of Laboratory Result

Common Blood Analyses

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

2. CBC with differential count

3. Platelet count

4. Coomb’s or anticoagulation test

5. Blood culture

6. TSH, T3, T4

7. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)

Venipuncture

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Instruction: preparation needed by the

patient

4. SEMEN ANALYSIS/SPERM COUNT

SEMEN ANALYSIS/

SPERM COUNT

- determine male fertility

SEMEN ANALYSIS/

SPERM COUNT

Nursing Responsibilities:

1. Instruction:

- obtaining specimen

- care of specimen

- delivery to the lab.

5. Lumbar Puncture/Spinal Tap

- CSF for lab. analysis

Lumbar Puncture

Risks:

1. moderate to severe headache

2. infection (rare)

3. leakage of fluid

Nursing Responsibility: instruction

6. BIOPSY

BIOPSY

- Obtain tissue sample for detection of

malignancy

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Instruction:

- rationale/purpose

- procedure

7. Bone Marrow Aspiration

Bone Marrow Aspiration

- Diagnose leukemia, anemia and other

cancers or infections

- Determine metastasis

- Evaluate effectiveness of chemotherapy

Bone Marrow Aspiration

Risks:

1. bleeding

2. infection or air embolism (rare)

3. sharp, brief pain, tenderness

Nursing Responsibility: instruction

8. Amniocentesis

AOG - at least 16 weeks

Amniocentesis

- Test for birth defects and other potential problems

- Determine fetal age, gender, maturity and general health

* For mothers over 35 or if with history of genetic problems

Amniocentesis

Risks:

1. accidental puncturing of placenta

2. spontaneous abortion (slight)

3. infection

Nursing Responsibility: instruction

1. X-ray

2. Ultrasound

3. CT Scan

4. MRI

5. PET

6. Mammography

Those that LOOK at the body

through film or sound

7. IVP

8. Hysterosalphingography

9. Fluoroscopy

10.Angiography

11. 2-D Echo

12. Cardiac Catheterization

1. Radiography

(X-ray)

Radiography (X-ray)

- Evaluate respiratory function and chest

injury

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Patient preparation: clothing, jewelry

2. purpose

2. Ultrasonography (UTZ)

Ultrasonography (UTZ)

-Visualize internal organs, soft tissues

- fetal examination,

- examination of the heart

Ultrasonography (UTZ)

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Patient preparation

2. purpose/procedure

3. CT Scan

CT Scan

-Provide detailed cross-sectional

view of tissues

-Preferred for diagnosing cancers

CT Scan

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Patient prep: clothing,

jewelry, meal

2. Instruction: dye, position,

procedure

4. MRI

MRI

-Exam of head, CNS

-Identify tumors, strokes, tissue

degeneration

MRI

Individuals at risk:

1. pregnant women

2. those with implanted metallic

objects

3. claustrophobic individuals

4. anxious individuals

MRI

Nursing Responsibility: same as CT

scan

5. PET Scan

PET

- non-invasive nuclear medical

imaging technique

- Depict structures, metabolic

changes/functions of tissues

6.Mammography

Mammography

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Instruction

- rationale

- procedure

2. Patient prep: no powder, lotion,

perfume, deodorant

7. IVP

Intravenous Pyelography (IVP)

- Visualize KUB

Risks:

1. burning sensation, metallic taste

(contrast medium)

2. allergic reaction to contrast medium

3. radiation risk

IVP

- Nursing Responsibility:

1. Instruction: purpose, procedure

2. Patient prep:

- laxative/enema

- NPO for 8 hrs. PT test

8. Hysterosalpingography

Hysterosalpingography

Confirm fallopian tube

abnormalities or obstructions

Risks:

1. cramping, pain

2. tingling sensation

3. intravascular injection of contrast

medium

Hysterosalpingography

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Instruction: purpose/procedure

2. Patient prep: laxative, NPO

John Y. Connolly, MDperforming fluoroscopy

9. Fluoroscopy

10. Echocardiography

Echocardiography

-Examine size, shape and motion of

the heart

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Instruction: purpose/procedure

11. Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac Catheterization

Right heart c. –

tricuspid and pulmonary

valves, pulmo artery, BP, flow

of blood to the heart

Arterial or left side c. –

coronary arteries, mitral and

aortic valves, LV

Cardiac Catheterization

Risks:

1. tiring

2. heart attack or stroke

3. damage to the heart and

blood vessel wall

4. swelling, bleeding, infection

5. allergic reaction

Cardiac Catheterization

Nursing Responsibility:

1. Instruction: purpose/procedure

2. Patient prep: NPO for 6 hrs. PT

test

12. Angiography

Cardiac Angiography Coronary Angiography

Angiography

-Detect abnormalities (aneurysm) in

BV and organs supplied

- locate sites of bleeding and clots

Nursing Responsibility: same as

cardiac catheterization

1. EGD

2. Gastroscopy

3. Laparoscopy

4. Colonoscopy

5. Sigmoidoscopy

6. Proctosigmoidoscopy

Those that USE hollow

tubes & fiber optics to look

inside the body directly

7. Cystoscopy

8. Colposcopy

9. Bronchoscopy

EGD

Sigmoidoscopy

Colonoscopy

Proctosigmoidoscopy

Laparoscopy

Colposcopy

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy

Cystoscopy

1. EEG

2. ECG

3. EMG

4. Pulmonary Function Test

Those that MEASURE

performance

Electrocardiogram

(ECG)

ECG Leads Placement

ECG Stress Test Holter Monitoring (Ambulatory ECG)

Electroencephlogram

(EEG)

EEG

EMG

PFT

Pulmonary Function Test

(PFT)