CH. 5: Diagnostic/Laboratory Terms

Question 1

bronchoscope

Answer 1

instrument used for visual examination of the bronchi

Question 2

bronchoscopy

Answer 2

visual examination of the bronchi

Question 3

endoscope

Answer 3

instrument used for visual examination within (a hollow organ or body cavity)

Question 4

endoscopic

Answer 4

pertaining to visual examination within

Question 5

endoscopy

Answer 5

visual examination within

Question 6

laryngoscope

Answer 6

instrument used for visual examination of the larynx

Question 7

laryngoscopy

Answer 7

visual examination of the larynx

Question 8

mediastinoscopy

Answer 8

visual examination of the mediastinum

Question 9

thoracoscope

Answer 9

instrument used for visual examination of the chest cavity

Question 10

thoracoscopy

Answer 10

visual examination of the chest cavity

Question 11

polysomnography (PSG)

Answer 11

process of recording many (tests) during sleep (performed to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea). Tests include electrooculography, electrocardiography, electromyography, electroencephalography, air flow monitoring, and oximetry.

Question 12

capnometer

Answer 12

instrument used to measure carbon dioxide (levels in expired gas)

Question 13

oximeter

Answer 13

instrument used to measure oxygen (saturation in the blood)

Question 14

spirometer

Answer 14

instrument used to measure breathing (or lung volume)

Question 15

spirometry

Answer 15

a measurement of breathing (or air flow)

Question 16

chest computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer 16

computerized radiographic images of the chest performed to diagnose tumors, abscesses, and pleural effusion

Question 17

chest radiograph (CXR)

Answer 17

radiographic image of the chest performed to evaluate the lungs and the heart (also called a chest x-ray)

Question 18

lung ventilation/perfusion scan (V/Q scan)

Answer 18

two nuclear scan tests, one to measure air flow throughout the lungs (ventilation), and one to measure circulation to all areas of the lungs (perfusion). This scan is used most often to help diagnose or rule out a pulmonary embolism (PE).

Question 19

acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear

Answer 19

test performed on sputum to determine the presence of acid-fast bacilli, which cause tuberculosis

Question 20

acid-fast

Answer 20

not easily discolored by acid after staining

Question 21

arterial blood gas (ABG)

Answer 21

test performed on arterial blood to determine levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH (acidity).

Question 22

peak flow meter (PFM)

Answer 22

portable instrument used to measure air flow early in forced exhalation; helps monitor asthma and adjust medication accordingly.

Question 23

pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

Answer 23

group of tests performed to measure breathing capacity and used to determine external respiratory function; when abnormal, they are useful in distinguishing COPD from asthma. Some tests involve the use of a spirometer.

Question 24

pulse oximetry

Answer 24

noninvasive method of measuring oxygen in the blood by using a device that attaches to the fingertip

Question 25

auscultation

Answer 25

the act of listening through a stethoscope for sounds within the body which are abnormal and that suggest abnormalities or disease; used for assessing and diagnosing conditions of the lungs, pleura, heart, arteries, and abdomen.

Question 26

percussion

Answer 26

the act of tapping of a body surface to determine the density of the part beneath by the sound obtained. A dull sound where normally a hollow sound would be elicited indicates displacement of air by fluid or solid waste in a body space or cavity such as in a potential pleural space.

Question 27

PPD (purified protein derivative) skin test

Answer 27

test performed on individuals who may have been exposed to tuberculosis. The protein derivative of the tuberculin bacillus is injected intradermally. Positive tests indicate previous exposure, not necessarily active tuberculosis (also called TB skin test).

Question 28

stethoscope

Answer 28

instrument used to hear internal body sounds; used for performing auscultation and blood pressure measurement.

Question 29

digital subtraction angiography (DSA)

Answer 29

process of digital radiographic imaging of the blood vessels that "subtracts" or removes structures not being studied

Question 30

Doppler ultrasound

Answer 30

study that uses high-frequency sound waves for detection of blood flow within the vessels; used to assess intermittent claudication, deep vein thrombosis, and other blood flow abnormalities

Question 31

sestamibi test

Answer 31

nuclear medicine test used to diagnose coronary artery disease and assess revascularization after coronary artery bypass surgery. Sestamibi, a radioactive isotope, is taken up by normal myocardial cells, but not in ischemia or infarction; these area are identified as "cold" spots on the images produced.

Question 32

single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Answer 32

nuclear medicine test that collects a series of images (projections) as a Gamma camera rotates around the patient; these projections are then used by a computer to generate three dimensional pictures; it also helps show the function of organs, such as coronary artery flow or active and inactive areas of the brain

Question 33

transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE)

Answer 33

ultrasound test that examines cardiac function and structure by using an ultrasound probe placed in the esophagus, which provides more direct views of the heart structures

Question 34

cardiac catheterization

Answer 34

diagnostic procedure performed by passing a catheter into the heart from a blood vessel in the groin or arm to examine the condition of the heart and surrounding blood vessels; used to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease

Question 35

exercise stress test

Answer 35

study that evaluates cardiac function during physical stress by riding a bike or walking on a treadmill; electrocardiography is the most common method, but echocardiography and nuclear medicine scanning (diagnostic imaging tests) can also be used to measure cardiac function while exercising

Question 36

blood pressure (BP)

Answer 36

pressure exerted by the blood against the blood vessel walls; a blood pressure measurement written as a systolic pressure (120) and diastolic pressure (80) is commonly recorded as 120/80 (blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury [mm Hg])

Question 37

chemical stress testing

Answer 37

the use of drugs to simulate the stress of physical exercise on the body; it is used to study cardiac function in patients who are unable to exercise

Question 38

systole

Answer 38

cardiac-cycle phase in which the ventricles contract and eject blood

Question 39

diastole

Answer 39

the phase in which the ventricles relax and fill with blood between contractions

Question 40

pulse

Answer 40

contraction of the heart, which can be felt with a fingertip; the pulse is most commonly felt over the radial artery (in the wrist); however, the pulsations can be felt over a number of sites, including the femoral (groin) and carotid (neck) arteries

Question 41

sphygmomanometer

Answer 41

device used for measuring blood pressure

Question 42

C-reactive protein (CRP)

Answer 42

blood test to measure the amount of C-reactive protein in the blood, which when elevated, indicates inflammation in the body; it is sometimes used in assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease

Question 43

creatine phosphokinase (CPK)

Answer 43

blood test used to measure the level of creatine phosphokinase, an enzyme of heart and skeletal muscle released into the blood after muscle injury or necrosis; the test is useful in evaluating patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Question 44

lipid profile

Answer 44

blood test used to measure the amount and type of lipids in a sample of blood; this test is used to evaluate one of the risks of cardiovascular disease, and to monitor therapy for patients taking lipid-lowering medications

Question 45

troponin

Answer 45

blood test that measures troponin, a heart muscle enzyme; test is useful in the diagnosis of a myocardial infarction

Question 46

biomarker

Answer 46

naturally occurring substance of certain body cells that can be measured in the blood and used to aid in the diagnosis of various disorders; troponin, creatine phosphokinase, C-reactive protein; elevated levels are used in diagnosing various disorders occurring in the body

Question 47

bruit

Answer 47

sound heard over an artery during auscultation resulting from vibration in the vessel wall caused by turbulent blood flow; are frequently caused by abnormal narrowing of an artery.