Diagnostic Procedures, Nuclear Medicine, and Complementary MedicineLesson 14 Review

Alternative medicine

A general term that refers to practices and systems of healthcare used instead of conventional or Western medical practices.

Auscultation

The process of listening to body sounds with a stethoscope.

Biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for examination.

Centesis

A surgical puncture to remove fluid.

Complementary medicine

A general term referring to practices and systems of healthcare other than conventional or Western medical practices used to supplement conventional practices.

Computerized tomography (CT)

Use of special x-ray equipment to produce multiple images of structures that cannot be seen with regular x-rays.

Diagnostic testing

A range of medical procedures and examinations used to determine the presence, absence, or extent of conditions in patients.

Diagnostic test

A test performed to confirm the presence of a disease, usually in a patient who shows signs or symptoms.

Lithotomy position

An examination position where the patient lies on their back with knees bent and feet in stirrups attached to the end of the examining table.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

A powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer used to produce images of exceptionally high quality.

Mensuration

A method of examination using the process of measuring.

Nuclear medicine

A branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive substances to diagnose or treat a variety of diseases.

Observation

An inspection to obtain information by noting the patient's level of consciousness, nutritional status, skin color, posture, gait, asymmetry, mannerisms, and personal hygiene.

Palpation

An examination of the body using touch performed with the use of the fingertips or one or both hands.

Percussion

Tapping the body surfaces and hearing the resulting sounds to determine the presence of air and solid masses affecting internal organs.

Prone position

An examination position with the patient lying on their abdomen.

Radiology

The medical specialty that uses medical imaging to diagnose and treat diseases within the body.

Screening test

Used to detect potential diseases before a patient reports any signs or symptoms of a disease.

Sitting position

An examination position with the patient sits on the edge of the exam table.

Supine position

An examination position with the patient lying flat on their back, facing up.

Ultrasonography

Use of high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the body's internal structures.

X-ray

A quick, painless test that produces images of the structures inside the body.