Diagnosis, Examination, and Testing

Sign vs. Symptom

• Sign: Objective evidence of illness (e.g., rash, bruise).

• Symptom: Subjective experience reported by the patient (e.g., pain, nausea).

Syndrome

• A group of signs and symptoms indicating a particular disease or condition.

Examination

• Process of inspecting the body to determine disease or absence of disease.

• Includes palpation, percussion, auscultation, and inspection.

Auscultation

• Listening for sounds in the body (especially heart and lungs) to detect abnormalities using a stethoscope.

Percussion

• Tapping the body to determine the position, size, and consistency of underlying structures.

Sphygmomanometer

• Instrument used to measure arterial blood pressure.

• Normal blood pressure: less than 120/80 mm/Hg.

  • Hypertension: 120/80 or higher.

  • Hypotension: 90/60 or lower.

Diagnosis

• Determination of the cause or nature of a disease.

• Involves evaluating history, physical examination, signs, symptoms, and lab data.

Prognosis

• Prediction of the course or end of a disease.

• Estimation of the chance for recovery.

Test

• Method to determine the presence or nature of a disease or substance.

• Examples: patch skin test, glucose tolerance test, blood tests.

Culture Plate Test

• Propagation of live cells or organisms in growth media to diagnose infectious diseases.

Urinalysis

• Tests performed on urine to detect drugs, minerals, proteins, and other molecules.

Biopsy

• Excision of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination to establish a diagnosis.

Clinical Diagnosis

• Diagnosis based on signs and symptoms without lab tests or X-rays.

Treatment

• Medical, surgical, or psychiatric management of a patient; aims to cure or relieve a health problem.

Inhaler

• Device to administer medicine, especially for asthma and emphysema.

Procedure

• Established way of accomplishing a desired result in medicine; involves exact steps.