Investigations in Medicine Principles

Flashcards for Principles of Medicine lecture review.

Careful history

The 'distinguishing characteristics' of a master clinician involve taking one of these and performing a thorough physical examination.

Differential diagnosis

A list of top possibilities reached after elucidating signs and symptoms.

Working diagnosis

The most likely choice from a differential diagnosis list that hasn't been confirmed.

Refute

Investigations serve to either confirm or do this to a diagnosis.

Peak flow meter

A respiratory medicine investigation that provides information about how open airways are.

Flow-volume loops

A respiratory medicine investigation type that can aid in the diagnosis and localization of airway obstruction.

Blood gas analysis

A respiratory medicine investigation that provides a precise measurement of O2 and CO2 levels, as well as PH balance.

Bronchoscopy

Respiratory medicine investigation used to obtain samples of mucus or tissue, or to remove foreign bodies from the airways.

Spirometry

Respiratory medicine investigation that helps diagnose obstructive and restrictive lung diseases.

Sweat test

A respiratory medicine investigation used to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF).

Percutaneous needle biopsy

A respiratory medicine investigation involving a needle biopsy of the pleura and lung/bronchial masses.

ECG (including ECG monitoring)

Cardiology investigation used to diagnose ischemia and arrhythmias.

Exercise testing

Cardiology investigation that allows an accurate quantification of functional capacity/measure of exercise tolerance.

Troponin I

A cardiology blood test that if negative, doesn't absolutely exclude a cardiac cause for symptoms.

Echocardiography

A cardiac imaging technique used to diagnose heart failure, valve problems, and cardiomyopathies.

Cardiac MRI

A cardiac imaging technique used to detect or monitor cardiac diseases related to heart chambers and valves.

Nuclear cardiology (myocardial perfusion imaging)

A cardiac imaging technique that is a very accurate test for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) early.

Cardiac catheterization

A diagnostic or therapeutic cardiology procedure (PCI).

Abdominal X-ray

A gastroenterology investigation used to diagnose intestinal obstruction, renal and urinary bladder stones, and viscus perforations.

Upper GI Endoscopy (OGD)

A gastroenterology investigation used to evaluate symptoms of persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing or heartburn and diagnose Coeliac disease, GORD, H pylori, Ulcers, Cancers.

Barium Swallow

Gastroenterology investigation used to diagnose cancers and motility disorders.

Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy

Gastroenterology investigation used to diagnose polyps, tumours, ulcers, and IBD.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

Gastroenterology investigation used to detect and stage pancreatic cancers, IBD, and pancreatitis.

CT Scan of the Abdomen

Gastroenterology investigation used to diagnose disease, trauma or abnormality and monitor the effectiveness of therapy.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

Gastroenterology investigation used to examine diseases of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas and pancreatic duct and evaluate patients with pancreatitis to detect the underlying cause.

Laparoscopy

A gastroenterology investigation that can be diagnostic or therapeutic and results in decreased postoperative pain and earlier return to normal activities.

Lumbar puncture

Neurology investigation used to diagnose or exclude meningitis and diagnose idiopathic intracranial hypertension

CT scan and MRI

Neuroimaging techniques used to diagnose ischemia, bleeding, and tumors.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Neurology investigation used for the diagnosis of seizures and epilepsy.

Nerve conduction studies (NCS)

Neurology investigation that aids in the diagnosis of Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Evoked potential studies

Neurology investigation that aids in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Ultrasound imaging or sonography

Another name for Ultrasonography.

Ultrasonography (US)

An imaging modality that utilizes reflected pulses of high-frequency sound waves to assess soft tissues.

Consultative ultrasonography

Type of Ultrasonography usually performed in a radiology suite using large and expensive machines and is done for hemodynamically stable patients.

Critical care ultrasonography (CCUS)

The use of U/S in patients who are critically ill.

Thoracic U/S (TUS)

Used to evaluate patients with dyspnea due to acute cardiopulmonary respiratory failure.

Pneumothorax and Pleural effusion

A thoracic U/S assess the presence or absence of these two conditions.

Standard CXR

Thoracic U/S may be superior to this for detection of pneumothorax.

Thoracentesis and pleural access

Thoracic U/S helps in guidance of these two procedures.

Abdominopelvic Ultrasonography

Detection of bladder distension is a use of this type of Ultrasonography.

Vascular Ultrasonography

Detection of DVT is a use of this type of Ultrasonography.

Gynecologist Ultrasound examination

Evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding is a use of this type of Ultrasonography.

Obstetric Ultrasound examination

Confirmation of the presence of an intrauterine pregnancy is a use of this type of Ultrasonography.

Ultrasound imaging in Rheumatology

Assessment of Bone erosions in RA is a use of this type of Ultrasonography.

Perioperative uses of Ultrasound

Assessment of anatomy that may cause difficulties with laryngoscopy is a use of this type of Ultrasonography.

Ultrasonography usage in thyroid diseases

Evaluation of anatomic features of thyroid nodules is a use of this type of Ultrasonography.