Diagnostic and Surgical Procedures

Auscultation : Listening to the heart, bowel, and lungs with or without a stethoscope to assess the presence and quality of sounds

Inspection : General observation of the patient as a whole, progressing to specific body areas

Palpation : Gentle application of the hands to a specific structure or body area to determine size, consistency, texture, symmetry, and tenderness of underlying structures

Percussion : Tapping a body structure with the hand or figures to session consistency and the presence or absence of fluids within the underlying structure

Is especially helpful in assessing the thorax and abdomen

Endoscopy : Visual examination of a body cavity or canal using a specialized lighten instrument called an endoscope

Used for biopsy, surgery, aspiration of fluids, and coagulation of bleeding areas.

Blood chemistry analysis : Laboratory test, usually performed on serum, to determine biochemical imbalances, abnormalities, and nutritional conditions

Ex) cholesterol test; results identifying patients cholesterol value

Complete blood count (CBC) : Broad screening test used to evaluate red blood cell, white blood cells, and platelets to determine anemias, infections, and other diseases

Part of routine physical examination to determine general health status.

Computed tomography (CT) : Imagining technique that rotates an x-ray emitter around the area to be evaluated and measures the intensity of transmitted rays from different angles

Generates cross-sectional image that appears as slices. May detect tumor, masses, bone displacement, and fluid accumulation. Used with or without a contrast medium.

Fluoroscopy : Techniques in which x-rays are directed through the body to a fluorescent screen that displays internal structures in continuous motion

Helps view the motion of organs and follow the movement of contrast dye etc to aid in the placement of catheters or other devices.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) : Technique that uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field, rather than an x-ray beam, to produce highly detailed, multiplanar, cross-sectional views of soft tissues

Provides superior soft tissue contrast

Nuclear scan : Technique in which a radioactive material (radiopharmaceutical) called a tracer is introduced into the body (inhaled, ingested, or injected), and a specialized camera (gamma camera) produces images of organs and structures

Reverse of radiograph; radiation comes from inside the body and is then detected by special camera to produce an image.

Positron emission tomography (PET) : Computed tomography records the positrons (positively charged particles) emitted from a radiopharmaceutical to produce a cross-sectional image of the metabolic activity of body tissues to determine the presence of disease.

Useful in scanning the brain and nervous system to diagnose disorders that involve abnormal tissue metabolism

Radiography : Technique in which x-rays are passed through the body or area and captured on a film to generate an image; also called x-ray

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) : Radiological technique that integrates computed tomography (CT) and a radioactive material (tracer) injected into the bloodstream to visualize blood flow to tissue and organs

Differs from PET b/c the tracer remains in the bloodstream rather than being absorbed by surrounding tissue

Ultrasonography (US) : High-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are directed at soft tissue and reflected as “echoes’ to produce an image on a monitor of an internal body structure; also called ultrasound, sonography, and echo.

A computer analyzes the reflected schools and converts them into an image on a video monitor

Biopsy : Removal of a representative tissue sample from a body site for microscopic examination, usually to establish a diagnosis

Excisional : Biopsy in which the entire lesion is removed

Incisional : Biopsy in which only a small sample of the lesion is removed

Ablation : Removal of a body part, pathway, or function by surgery, chemical destruction, electrocautery, freezing, or radio frequency (RF)

Are common for treating atrial fibrillation and varicose veins and destroying abnormal. Tissues found in various organs.

Anastomosis : Surgical joining of two ducts, vessels, or bowel segments to allow flow from one to another

Curettage : Scraping of a body cavity with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette

Electrocauterization : Use of an electrically activated instrument to burn and destroy diseased tissue

Common for removing tumors (particularly in the brain) and warts and treating chronic nosebleeds

Incision and drainage (I&D) : Incision made to allow the free flow of fluids and pus from a wound, abscess, or body cavity

Laser surgery : Use of a high-intensity laser light beam to remove diseased tissues, to stop bleeding, or for cosmetic purposes

Used in a wide variety of noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures

Revision : Surgical procedure used to replace or compensate for a previously implanted device o correct an undesirable result or effect of a previous surgery.