Diagnostic Tests Part One

How do we arrive at a clinical diagnosis?

• current illness/problem of the patient

• patient history

• physical examination

• diagnostic tests

What should be asked when looking at the patient history

• Current and past medical history

• Other patient issues: Smoking, Alcohol/Drugs, Social issues

• Family history

What is the goal of getting a patient history

Get a wide outlook on a person

What is the most important aspect of a physical examination

Being able to observe

What is a non-invasive procedure?

If it does not break the skin, it is a non-invasive procedure

What is an invasive procedure?

If the procedure breaks the skin, it is an invasive procedure

What are some examples of non-invasive procedures

• ENT inspection

• neuro reflexes

• Urine test, throat swab

• X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT, ECG

What are some invasive procedures?

• Blood Draw

• Spinal Tap

• Biopsy

• Endoscopy

What does CBC stand for

Complete Blood Count

What does CMP stand for

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel

What does CMP test for

electrolytes, glucose, BUN, Crea, Liver enzymes

What are the Plasma Proteins that are tested

Albumin, Enzymes, Immunoglobulins

What tests for antibodies

serological tests

What do hormone tests get tested for

thyroid hormones

What is an ESR

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

What is an ESR useful for

• myeloma

• temporal arteritis

• polymyalgia rheumatica

What does a urine lab test look for

• Blood

• Protein

• Microorganisms

• pH

What does stool lab tests look for

• Blood

• Parasites

• Fat

What dies CSF lab tests look for

• Cells

• Proteins

• Microorganisms

What is an increase in RBCs called?

erythrocytosis/ polycythemia

What is an increase in WBCs called?

leukocytosis

What is an increase in lymphocytes called?

lymphocytosis

What is an increase in granulocytes called?

granulocytosis

What is an increase in neutrophils called?

neutrophilia

What is an increase in eosinophils called?

eosinophilia

What is an increase in platelets called?

thrombocytosis

What is a decrease in RBCs called?

anemia/erythroblastopenia

What is a decrease in WBCs called?

leukopenia

What is a decrease in lymphocytes called?

lymphocytopenia

What is a decrease in granulocytes called?

granulocytopenia/ agranulocytosis

What is a decrease in neutrophils called?

neutropenia

What is a decrease in eosinophils called?

eosinopenia

What is a decrease in platelets called?

thrombocytopenia

What is a decrease in all cell lines called?

pancytopenia

What measures the electrical activity of the heart?

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

What measures the electrical activity of the brain ?

Electroencephalogram

What measures the electrical activity of the muscle

electromyogram

What is the flow of the electrical conduction of the heart

SA node to AV node to purkinje fibers

What happens at the P Wave

Atrial depolarization

What happens at the QRS Complex

ventricular depolarization

What happens at the T wave

repolarization of the ventricle

What does ST elevation in an MI mean

V-Fib