Diagnostic Procedures and Nuclear Medicine

Vital signs

Temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure

Auscultation

Listening to sounds from the heart, lungs, or other organs, typically with a stethoscope

Palpation

Using the hands to feel for abnormalities, such as masses, tenderness, or swelling

Percussion

Tapping the body to assess underlying structures and determine if they are filled with air, fluid, or solid material

Sim’s position

Position in which a patient is lying on their left side with the left leg extended and the right leg bent at the hip toward the chest, left arm down at the side, and right arm bent in front of the body

Recumbent positions

Any position in which a patient is lying down

Knee-chest position

Position in which an individual rests on their knees and chest with their head turned to the side

Lithotomy position

Position in which a patient lies on their back with their legs raised and supported by stirrups

Radiography

A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create images of the internal structures of the body

Computed tomography

CT

Computed tomography

A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays and sophisticated computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body

Fluoroscopy

A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create real-time, moving images of the body's internal structures, sometimes with injected contrast dye

Ultrasonography

A medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body

Nuclear medicine

A medical specialty that uses internally administered radioactive substances for both diagnosis and treatment of diseases

Complementary therapies

Non-prescription medications that are used alongside allopathic medicine, including vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies, aromatherapy, and homeopathic preparations

Albumin, protein

Albumin/o

Calcium, lime, the heel

Calc/i

-centesis

Surgical puncture to remove fluid

Creatinine

Creatin/o

Glowing

Fluor/o

Glucose/sugar

Glycos/o

Abdomen

Lapar/o

Radiation, x-rays

Radi/o

Sound

Son/o

Chest

Steth/o

Heat

Therm/o

Beyond

-ultra

Acupuncture

A traditional Chinese medical practice using very thin needles inserted into specific points of the body to restore the flow of Qi

Qi

The vital energy or life force that flows through all living beings, according to traditional Chinese medicine

Albuminuria

The presence of albumin in the urine

Alternative medicine

Practices and systems of healthcare other than allopathic approaches that are used in place of allopathic treatments

Arthrocentesis

A surgical puncture of the joint to remove synovial fluid for analysis to determine the cause of pain or swelling in a joint

Bacteriuria

The presence of bacteria in the urine

Basic metabolic panel

BMP

Basic metabolic panel

A group of 8 specific blood tests that provide important information about the current status of a patient’s kidneys, electrolyte balance, blood sugar, and calcium levels

Biofeedback

A patient-guided treatment that teaches individuals to control muscle tension, pain, body temperature, brain waves, and other bodily functions through relaxation, visualization, and other cognitive control techniques

Bruit

An abnormal sound or murmur heard during an auscultation of an artery

Calciuria

The presence of calcium in the urine

Complete blood count

CBC

Complete blood count

A series of blood tests performed to evaluate several blood conditions

Craniosacral therapy

The use of gentle touch to help the body release tension, stress, and trauma to correct restrictions resulting from stress on the central nervous system

Creatinuria

An increased concentration of creatinine in the urine

Echocardiography

An ultrasonic diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the structures and motion of the heart

Endoscope

A small, flexible tube with a light and lens on the end

Glycosuria

The presence of glucose in the urine

Guided imagery

A type of treatment in which a patient follows verbal prompts to envision a specific, peaceful location in detail, distancing themself from any pain or stress

Hematocrit

Hct

Hematocrit

Describes the percentage, by volume, of a blood sample occupied by red blood cells

Hematuria

Presence of blood in the urine

Homeopathy

The use of substances created from plant or mineral products diluted in thousandfold in water or alcohol to treat symptoms and diseases

Hyperthermia

Abnormally high body temperature

Hypothermia

Abnormally low body temperature

Integrative medicine

A model of healthcare based on both allopathic and alternative medicine

Interventional radiology

The use of radiographic imaging to guide a procedure, such as a biopsy

Ketonuria

The presence of ketones in the urine

Laparoscopy

The visual examination of the interior of the abdomen with the use of a laparoscope that is passed through a small incision in the abdominal wall

Magnetic resonance imaging

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging

A medical imaging technique that uses both radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create signals that are sent to a computer and converted into images of any body plane

Mindfulness meditation

Focuses on becoming aware of thoughts and emotions and their physiological responses, as well as accepting them and maintaining a calm, constant awareness

Naturopathy

• A form of alternative medicine that focuses on prevention, lifestyle changes, and holistic care rather than solely treating symptoms with pharmaceuticals or surgery

• Emphasis on nutrition, herbal medicine, stress management, and preventative care

Neuromuscular therapy

NMT

Neuromuscular therapy

A form of massage that uses soft-tissue manipulation focusing on applying pressure to trigger points to treat injuries and alleviate pain

Ophthalmoscope

Instrument used to visually examine the interior of the eye

Otoscope

Instrument used to visually examine the external ear canal and the tympanic membrane

Perfusion

The flow of blood through an organ

Pericardiocentesis

The puncture of the pericardial sac for the purpose of removing fluid

Phlebotomy

The puncture of a vein for the purpose of drawing blood

Positron emission tomography

PET

Positron emission tomography

A medical imaging technique that combines computed tomography with radionuclide tracers, usually inserted into a vein, to produce enhanced images of selected body organs or areas

Prone position

Position in which a patient is lying face-down on their abdomen

Proteinuria

Presence of protein in the urine

Pyuria

Presence of pus in the urine

Radiolucent

A substance, such as air or soft tissues, that allows x-rays to pass through and appears black or dark grey on the resulting film

Radiopaque

A substance, such as bone, that does not allow x-rays to pass through and appears white or light grey on the resulting film

Rales

Abnormal crackle-like lung sounds heard through a stethoscope during inspiration

Ronchi

Coarse rattling sounds that are somewhat like snoring, usually caused by secretions in the bronchial airways

Single photon emission computed tomography

SPECT

SPECT

A type of nuclear imaging test that produces 3D computer-reconstructed images showing perfusion through tissues and organs

Sphygmomanometer

Instrument that measures blood pressure

Stridor

An abnormal, high-pitched, musical breathing sound caused by a blockage in the throat or larynx

Transesophageal echocardiography

TEE

Transesophageal echocardiography

An ultrasonic imaging technique used to evaluate heart structures

Urinalysis

The examination of the physical and chemical properties of the urine to determine the presence of abnormal elements

Vital signs stable

VSS

Respiratory rate

RR

Thrill

An abnormal rhythmic vibration felt when palpating an artery

Supine position

Position in which patient is lying on their back, face up

Arterial stick

The puncture of an artery, usually on the inside of the wrist, to obtain arterial blood

Sed rate

The speed at which red blood cells separate from the plasma in a specialized test tube, indicative of inflammation in the body if elevated