4.3 Diagnostic Tests

The abbreviation A&P (auscultation and percussion) is a form of assessment in which the healthcare provider auscultates, or listens, to a body part, usually with a stethoscope. In Fig. 4.1, the physician is listening to a patient’s lungs with a stethoscope. When performing percussion, the physician uses their hand in a striking movement to a body part, then listens to the sound that occurs. A lower-pitched sound indicates that there could be a mass in that area, whereas a higher-pitched sound indicates air in the space.

What is barium, anyway? Barium is a liquid contrast medium that can be taken orally (barium swallow) or through the rectum (barium enema). It helps visualize the organs when certain types of imaging are performed; for example, X-rays or CT scans.

Fig. 4.2 is an image of a culture and sensitivity (C&S) test used to help determine which antibiotics the bacteria being tested are sensitive to and which they are resistant to. In the dish on the left, the bacteria are all sensitive to the antibiotic, and in the dish on the right, most of the bacteria are resistant to the antibiotic, so it would not be an effective treatment. A culture and sensitivity test can be done on any specimen if an infection is suspected; for example, wound tissue, stool, or urine.

What is a diff? A diff (differential) is a blood test that measures the percentage of all the different types of blood cells in your blood, such as monocytes, basophils, and eosinophils. It is used to look for infections, allergic reactions, and certain diseases (Whitten, 2021).

An ECG (electrocardiogram), as discussed in a previous chapter, records the electrical activity of the heart. An Echo (echocardiogram), on the other hand, uses sound waves to create an image of the heart, its structures, and how it is functioning to ensure that it is working correctly.

Fasting blood sugar (FBS) is a test performed to determine a person’s blood sugar level after fasting (not eating) for eight hours. This test is usually performed to determine whether or not a person has diabetes (Alberta Health Services, 2022a).

The glucose tolerance test (GTT) measures the body’s ability to process and use certain sugars, such as glucose. During an oral glucose tolerance test, a patient will drink a small amount of a very concentrated sweetened drink, then their glucose level is measured one to three hours later (Alberta Health Services, 2022a). Most of the time, FBS is taken prior to this test, and the results are compared. This test is most commonly used to detect gestational diabetes in pregnant women.

Fig 4.4 is an image of a KUB (kidneys, ureters, bladder) X-ray, which is used to visualize the urinary system and to assess the causes of lower abdominal structure pain, as well as to view the healthy functioning of the urinary system (Johns Hopkins, 2022).

The abbreviation lab (laboratory) is used for laboratory tests related to all specimens from the body, including blood, urine, feces, and other bodily specimens.

Fig. 4.5 is an image of a MUGA (multigated acquisition) scan. The MUGA scan is used to assess the heart to determine how well it functions and, more specifically, how well it pumps blood to the organs in the body (Alberta Health Services, 2022b).

A PT (prothrombin time) blood test is done to determine how long it takes blood to clot. This test might be ordered to determine whether a person has a bleeding disorder or if medications, such as coumadin, are working correctly. This test is also called INR (international normalized ratio) and is used to ensure that no matter how the test is completed, the results will all always be standardized (Alberta Health Services, 2022c).

PTT (partial thromboplastin time) is another test used to determine how long it takes blood to clot, and it is often done at the same time as a PT blood test. This test is also used to assess whether a person has a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia or if certain medications, such as heparin, are working effectively (Alberta Health Services, 2022c).

Fig. 4.6 is an image of a UGI (upper gastrointestinal) series, and Fig 4.7 is an image of a BaE (barium enema) lower gastrointestinal series. Both of these diagnostic procedures involve the introduction of the contrast medium barium. For a UGI series, the barium would be swallowed, and for the lower gastrointestinal series, it would be given as an enema. X-rays are then taken of the upper and lower gastrointestinal system structures (Johns Hopkins, 2020).