Respiratory System - Diagnostic Procedures

arterial blood gases (ABGs)

Testing for the gases present in the blood. Generally used to assist in determining the levels of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood.

sputum culture and sensitivity

Testing sputum by placing it on a culture medium and observing any bacterial growth. The specimen is then tested to determine antibiotic effectiveness.

sputum cytology

Examining sputum for malignant cells.

bronchogram

X-ray record of the bronchus produced by bronchography.

bronchography

X-ray of the lung after a radiopaque substance has been inserted into the trachea or brochial tube. Resulting X-ray is called a bronchogram.

chest X-ray (CXR)

Taking a radiographic picture of the lungs and heart from the back and sides.

pulmonary angiography

Injecting dye into a blood vessel for the purpose of taking an X-ray of the arteries and veins of the lungs.

ventilation-perfusion scan

Nuclear medicine diagnostic test that is especially useful in identifying pulmonary emboli. Radioactive air is inhaled for the ventilation portion to determine if air is filling the entire lung. Radioactive intravenous injection shows if blood is flowing to all parts of the lung.

bronchoscope

Instrument used to view inside a bronchus during a bronchoscopy.

bronchoscopy (Bronch)

Visual examination of the inside of the bronchi; uses an instrument called a bronchoscope.

laryngoscope

Instrument used to view inside the larynx during a laryngoscopy.

laryngoscopy

Examination of the interior of the larynx with a lighted instrument called a laryngoscope.

oximeter

Instrument that measures the amount of oxygen in the bloodsteam.

oximetry

Measures the oxygen level in the blood using a device, an oximeter, placed on the patient’s fingertip or earlobe.

pulmonary function test (PFT)

Group of diagnostic tests that give information regarding air flow in and out of the lungs, lung volumes, and gas exchange between the lungs and bloodstream.

spirometer

Instrument to measure lung capacity used for spirometry.

spirometry

Procedure to measure lung capacity using a spirometer.

polysomnography

Monitoring a patient while sleeping to identify sleep apnea. Also called sleep apnea study.

sweat test

Test for cystic fibrosis. Patients with this disease have an abnormally large amount of salt in their sweat

tuberculin skin tests (TB test)

Applying the tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) under the surface of the skin to determine if the patient has been exposed to tuberculosis. Also called a Mantoux test.