Physiological tests Flashcards
(42 cards)
Describe what peak expiratory flow testing measures.
Peak expiratory flow testing measures the rate at which air can be exhaled by a person, recorded in liters per minute.
Explain the purpose of measuring peak flow in respiratory health.
Measuring peak flow provides an indication of airway narrowing and helps monitor conditions like asthma, especially when comparing before and after treatments or triggers.
How can peak flow measurements be used to assess a patient’s respiratory condition?
They can be used to compare current measurements to previous ones or expected values to determine if the condition is worsening or if a trigger is causing symptoms.
Identify a limitation of peak flow measurement.
Measurement error can occur if the person does not blow as hard as possible or does not position their lips correctly around the mouthpiece.
Explain how spirometry differs from peak flow measurement.
Spirometry provides a more detailed and accurate assessment of lung function by measuring the amount of air exhaled in one second and the total volume of exhaled air, helping to identify obstructive or restrictive problems.
What information does spirometry provide about lung problems?
It shows whether issues are obstructive, restrictive, or a combination of both.
Describe the significance of spirometry results in diagnosing lung conditions.
Results are compared to normal ranges to identify possible indicators of disease or disorder, aiding in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Explain the principle behind blood pressure testing.
Blood pressure testing involves restricting blood flow with a cuff, then gradually releasing it to measure the pressure as blood flow resumes.
How does a blood pressure cuff work during measurement?
The cuff inflates to cut off blood flow, then slowly deflates while a sensor records the pressure at which blood flow returns.
Describe the significance of blood pressure results in relation to normal ranges.
Blood pressure results indicate the risk of conditions like stroke or heart attack. High blood pressure (hypertension) often has no symptoms but increases the risk of serious health issues. Comparing results to normal ranges helps identify potential health concerns.
Explain how incorrect cuff size can affect blood pressure measurement accuracy.
Using an incorrectly sized cuff can lead to inaccurate blood pressure readings. A cuff that is too small may give falsely high readings, while a cuff that is too large may give falsely low readings.
Describe how patient positioning and recent activities can influence blood pressure readings.
The position of the patient’s arm and body during measurement can affect the reading. Activities such as drinking coffee, smoking, or exercising 30 minutes before the test can also cause false readings.
Explain the principle behind an ECG and what it records.
An ECG records electrical signals generated by the heart during its activity. It captures the electrical impulses that cause heart contractions, producing a trace that reflects the heart’s electrical activity.
Describe what each feature of an ECG trace represents in terms of heart electrical activity.
The P wave represents atrial depolarisation, the PR interval indicates the time for electrical impulses to travel from the sinus node to the AV node, and other features reflect different phases of the heart’s electrical cycle.
Explain how ECG traces can be used to identify arrhythmias.
ECG traces show the rate and rhythm of the heart. Abnormal patterns, such as irregular timing or missing waves, can indicate arrhythmias, which are disruptions in the heart’s electrical impulses.
Describe the significance of heart rate and rhythm in an ECG compared to expected norms.
The heart rate and rhythm observed in an ECG should fall within normal ranges. Deviations, such as a rate too fast or too slow, or irregular rhythm, can suggest underlying electrical or structural heart issues.
Explain what disruptions in electrical impulses might cause abnormal ECG results.
Disruptions can be caused by damage to heart tissues, congenital disorders, or lifestyle factors like stress, smoking, and alcohol. These disruptions can lead to abnormal heart rates or rhythms seen on the ECG.
Describe the limitations of ECG recordings related to motion artefacts.
ECG recordings can be affected by motion artefacts caused by shivering or tremors from disorders such as Parkinson’s or MS, which can distort the electrical signals and affect interpretation.
Define peripheral vascular disease.
Peripheral vascular disease refers to blood vessel diseases occurring outside the heart and brain, often caused by narrowing of vessels due to fatty plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).
Describe the physiological measurements used to test vascular function.
Physiological tests include precise blood pressure measurements on the feet and arms to assess blood flow and vessel health.
Explain how imaging techniques are used in diagnosing vascular diseases.
Imaging techniques visualize blood vessels and detect narrowing or blockages, aiding in diagnosis of vascular conditions.
What is urodynamic testing and what does it investigate?
Urodynamic testing measures how well the bladder, sphincters, and urethra store and release urine, focusing on bladder capacity, emptying, and involuntary contractions.
Describe the simple observations made during urodynamic tests.
Observations include the time taken to produce a urinary stream, the volume of urine produced, and the ability or inability to stop urine flow mid-stream.
Explain the purpose of imaging equipment in urodynamic testing.
Imaging equipment captures pictures of the bladder filling and emptying process to assess function and detect abnormalities.
