Diagnostic Testing Flashcards
What is the insertion of a needle directly into the vein?
Venipuncture
What is removing fluids from the peritoneal cavity?
Paracentesis
What are soft tissue radiographs that allow visualization of the underlying breast tissue?
Mammogram
What is removing a larger collection of cells like a tumor or mass, which may be used to detect skin, breast, or liver cancer?
Biopsy
What is a radiological procedure in which a special scanner allows cross-sectional images of an organ to be visualized?
Computed Tomography (CT Scan)
What is the use of a superconducting magnet and radiofrequency waves that cause hydrogen nuclei to emit signals?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
What procedure visualizes soft tissue organs by recording and measuring the reflections of sonic waves?
Ultrasound
What removes fluid from the pleural space?
Thoracentesis
What contains chemically altered filter paper that changes color when stool containing blood is placed on it?
Hemoccult
What is a recording of the electrical current generated by the heart during depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac muscle?
Electrocardiogram
What are the components of a complete blood count (CBC)?
Red blood cell (CBC)
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit (HCT)
Red cell indices
White blood cell (WBC)
Differential WBC
The nurse anticipates that testing will be done for the patient who is taking an anticoagulant. What specific tests may be ordered to assess this patient’s status?
Platelets
Bleeding time
Prothrombin time/internal normalized ratio (PT/INR
Activated partial thromboplastin time
Fibrinogen
Glucose testing is done to determine the presence of which condition?
Diabetes Mellitus
What is known by patients as the “good” cholesterol?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good” cholesterol, and (LDL) is the “bad” cholesterol.
What are “normal” expected values from a urinalysis?
Clear to slightly hazy
Negative protein
pH 6
C-reactive protein (CRP) is used as a marker for which disorders?
Inflammatory and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS). Hi-sensitivity CRP marker for vascular inflammation. CRP is now used to screen for coronary artery disease and predict future cardiac events.
What cardiac markers (tests) might be ordered for a patient to check for cardiac tissue damage?
Myoglobin
Troponin T
Creatine kinase
What is associated with black and tarry stools?
Bleeding in the upper GI tract.
Bright red bleeding is associated with bleeding in the lower GI tract.
Which test is done to check for tapeworm, and how must the sample be sent to the lab?
Fecal ova and parasite is the test done. The sample must be sent to the lab while still warm. 1 inch of solid stool or 15 to 30 ml of liquid stool needed.
How would you explain a culture and sensitivity test to a patient?
A specimen (urine, blood, sputum, etc.) is sent to the lab for a suspected infection. It is a positive result if bacteria are found, and different antibiotics are considered the best treatment for that specific bacteria.
What is the most critical area to monitor during a bronchoscopy?
Respiratory status
What nursing care should be provided for patients after a thoracentesis?
- Position the patient on the UNAFFECTED side for at least one hour.
- Monitor vital signs
- Check dressing
- Check the puncture site for bleeding or crepitus (a crackling or popping sensation indicating air leaks and trapped under the skin).
- Assess respiratory status (breath sounds, symmetry, and signs of distress)
- Chest x-ray if ordered
What nursing care should be provided for patients after a Lumbar puncture?
- Instruct patient to lie flat for 4 to 8 hours.
- Encourage fluids
- Perform neurological assessment
- Assess the puncture site for drainage/bleeding
- Administer pain meds (analgesics) as needed.
What nursing diagnosis/hypothesis and goal/outcome can be identified for a patient who is extremely anxious about a diagnostic test that must be performed?
Diagnosis: Anxiety associated with diagnostic testing as evidenced/manifested by fidgeting, pacing, facial expression, and rapid heart rate.
Goal: Patient will discuss areas of concern about testing. Patient will use relaxation techniques and demonstrate decreased anxiety while waiting for the testing.