Diagnostic Procedures and Pharmacology

Basic Examination Procedures Assessment – the evaluation of a patients condition Vital Signs – measuring or counting the temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure Auscultation – listening to body sounds (lungs, heart, abdomen) using a stethoscope Palpation – using hands to feel texture, size, consistency, and location of body parts

Basic Examination Positions refer to pictures in your packet Recumbent – laying down (no matter what position - back, side or front) Prone – laying on the front of the body, face down Supine – laying on the back, face up content.answers.com/.../wp/en/c/c4/Supine.jpg Dorsal Recumbent – laying supine, with knees bent so that feet are on stretcher 3

Laboratory Tests Phlebotomy (phleb/o = vein + -otomy = surgical incision) - puncture of a vein to draw blood www.dcboces.org/MTI/phlebotomy.jpg CBC (complete blood count) – series of tests to evaluate several blood conditions (such as anemia, leukemia, infection, etc…). BUN (blood urea nitrogen) – blood tests that shows kidney function

Laboratory Tests Cont’d. Urinalysis – examination of urine to determine presence of abnormal elements (such as glucose, protein, pus, blood, etc…) Endoscopy (endo = within + -scopy = visual exam.) – visual examination of the interior of a body cavity z.about.com/f/p/440/graphics/images/en/15849.jpg Centesis (-centesis = surgical puncture to remove fluid) – fluid is removed for diagnostic purposes or to remove excess fluid

Imaging Techniques Conventional radiology – (X-rays) radiation passes through the patient to expose a film that shows the body in profile Computerized tomography – (CT) radiation with computer assistance produces multiple cross-sectional images of the body www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/1... Magnetic Resonance Imaging – (MRI) uses combination of radio waves and magnetic field to produce images

Imaging Techniques Cont’d Radiographic contrast medium – substance used to make structures visible that are normally hard to see (example – barium). Diagnostic Ultrasound – imaging of deep body structures by using sound waves sonogram human foetal fetal ultrasound scan at 22 weeks mono 1 ANON.jpg

Imaging Techniques Cont’d Nuclear Medicine – looks at how well body organs or systems are functioning instead of anatomy Positron Emission Tomography – combines tomography with radionuclide tracers to produce images of selected body organs or areas. www.physics.utoronto.ca/~key/PHY138/PET%20sca...

Pharmacology Prescription – an order for medication, therapy, or a therapeutic device (walker, nebulizer, etc..) given by an authorized person (MD, NP, Dentist, etc…) to a person properly authorized to dispense or perform that order. Prescription drug – medication that may be dispensed only with a prescription from a licensed professional.

Pharmacology Cont’d. Adverse Drug Reaction – undesirable drug response (rash, hives, etc…) that goes along with the desirable drug response Contraindication – a factor in the patients condition that makes the use of a drug dangerous or ill-advised (contra = against); not a bad drug, but a bad drug for this person at this time

Routes of Administration Inhalation – vapor or gases taken in through the nose or mouth and absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. Examples – anesthesia, nebulizer medication, asthma inhalers Oral – drugs taken by mouth to be absorbed in the stomach or small intestine Rectal – insertion of medication in the rectum either by suppository or liquid (such as Phenergan).

Routes of Administration Cont’d. Sublingual (sub = below, under + lingu/o = tongue + -al = pertaining to) – medication given under the tongue and allowed to dissolve Topical – lotions, ointments, or eye drops that are applied for local action www.marineyes.com/images/OAG-Meds_C14.jpg

Routes of Administration Cont’d. Transdermal – applying drug to unbroken skin through a patch for absorption through the skin Parenteral – administration of medication by injection through a syringe & needle; common types are: intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SQ), intravenous (IV) or intradermal (ID).

Common Pharmacology Abbreviations a.c. = before meals Ex – take one tablet a.c. ad lib = as desired Ex – activity ad lib b.i.d. = twice a day Ex – take one tablet b.i.d. NPO = nothing by mouth Ex – NPO after midnight p.c. = after meals Ex – take one tablet p.c. p.r.n. = as needed Ex – one tablet prn every 4 hrs p.o. = by mouth Ex – take one po in the morning qd = every day Ex – take one po qd q.i.d. = four times a day Ex – take one po q.i.d. t.i.d. = three times a day Ex – take one po t.i.d.

Career Opportunities Medical Lab technologist – works under supervision of a pathologist examining tissues, fluids and cells Medical Lab technician – works under supervision of a MT or pathologist performing routine tests that do not require and advanced degree Histologic technician – works under supervision of MT to cut and stain tissue specimens

Career Opportunities Cont’d Medical Laboratory assistant – prepares specimens for testing and helps clean & maintain equipment Pharmacy technician – works under supervision of Pharmacist to prepare medications for patients Radiologic technologist – works under supervision of Radiologist to perform a variety of radiological tests

Career Opportunities Cont’d. MRI technologist – an RT that works with magnetic resonance imaging Radiation Therapy technologist – prepares cancer patients for treatments and administers prescribed dose of radiation to specific body parts http://www.srhc.com/services/oncology/image/Clinac.jpg Sonographer – conducts ultrasound tests 17