Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures

Question 1

assessment techniques

Answer 1

sequence of procedures designed to evaluate the health status of a patient

Question 2

auscultation

Answer 2

listening the the heart, bowel and lungs with or without a stethoscope to assess the presence and quality of sounds

Question 3

inspection

Answer 3

general observation of the patient as a whole, progressing to specific body areas

Question 4

palpation

Answer 4

gentle application of the hands to a specific structure or body area to determine size, consistency, texture, symmetry and tenderness of underlying structures

Question 5

percussion

Answer 5

tapping a body structure with the hand or fingers to assess consistency and the presence or absence of fluids within the underlying structures

Question 6

endoscopy

Answer 6

visual examination of a body cavity or canal using a specialized lighted instrument called an endoscope

Question 7

blood chemistry analysis

Answer 7

lab test, usually performed on serum, to determine biochemical imbalances, abnormalities and nutritional conditions

Question 8

complete blood count (CBC)

Answer 8

broad screening test used to evaluate red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to determine anemias, infections and other diseases

Question 9

computed tomography

Answer 9

imaging technique t that rotates an x-ray emitter around the area to be evaluated and measures the intensity of transmitted rays from different angles

Question 10

fluoroscopy

Answer 10

technique in which x-rays are directed through the body to a fluorescent screen that displays internal structures in continuous motion

Question 11

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer 11

Technique that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field, rather than an x-ray beam, to produce highly detailed, multiplanar, cross-sectional views of soft tissues

Question 12

nuclear scan

Answer 12

Technique in which a radioactive material (radiopharmaceutical) called a tracer is introduced into the body (inhaled, ingested, or injected), and a specialized camera (gamma camera) produces images of organs and structures

Question 13

positron emission tomography

Answer 13

Computed tomography records the positrons (positively charged particles) emitted from a radiopharmaceutical to produce a cross-sectional image of the metabolic activity of body tissues to determine the presence of disease

Question 14

radiography

Answer 14

Technique in which x-rays are passed through the body or area and captured on a film to generate an image; also called x-ray

Question 15

single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Answer 15

Radiological technique that integrates computed tomography (CT) and a radioactive material (tracer) injected into the bloodstream to visualize blood flow to tissues and organs

Question 16

ultrasonography

Answer 16

High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are directed at soft tissue and reflected as “echoes” to produce an image on a monitor of an internal body structure; also called ultrasound, sonography, and echo