Diagnostic Procedures

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• QWhat is a biophysical profile during pregnancy?

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  A biophysical profile is a multiparameter approach to observing fetal well-being using a non-stress test and real-time ultrasound. The parameters assessed with real time ultrasound include:

  • Fetal tone or the extension and flexion of fetal extremities
  • Fetal movement or the observation of three distinct movements in a 30minute period.
  • Fetal breathing or rhythmic movement of the chest wall lasting 30 seconds or more.
  • Amniotic fluid volume or the presence of a single pocket of fluid exceeding 2 cm.

   These findings are combined with the results of a non-stress test to determine the score of the biophysical profile.

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• QWhat is an arterial blood gas analysis?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  An arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood to determine how well your lungs are working. The measurements tell how well the lungs are moving oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood.
• QWhat is a myelogram?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  When magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is available, myelography is rarely if ever used. Still, MRI remains an alternative in combination with CT when MRI cannot be performed because the person has medical devices, such as a cardiac pacemaker, that may prevent him or her from undergoing MRI.

  A myelogram is a special x-ray that requires an injection of dye into the spinal canal through a spinal tap to detect the rupture of a disc or other problems. In a normal myelogram, the dye will fill the spinal canal, as well as the nerve root sheaths, giving a revealing outline for an x-ray. In an abnormal myelogram, an absence of dye occurs in a specific area called a filling defect, and it indicates that the nerve root or spinal cord is pinched or compressed.

  The myelogram has some discomfort, requires an injection, and has a greater possibility of unwanted side effects, such as a painful headache.  Some experts now recommend a MRI of the lower spine first. Then, if the diagnosis is not clear, they may perform a myelogram.  A CT scan may be combined with a myelogram to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis, especially if a small piece of disc has broken off and is pressing on a nerve away from its root between the vertebrae.

• QWhat is an audiogram?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  An audiology examination or audiogram is a hearing test. The audiogram checks on your ability to hear sounds based on intensity (loudness) or tone (speed of sound wave vibrations). The intensity of sound is measured in decibels (dB). While a fighter jet may be loud at 140 decibels, a whisper is only around 20 decibels.

  A complete audiogram will test both the bone conduction (the ability to hear a sound when it transmitted through bone) and the air conduction (the ability to hear a sound when it is transmitted through air). The louder the sounds have to be in order to be heard, the greater the degree of hearing loss.

  Using a special soundproof testing booth, the audiologist will ask you to wear earphones that are connected to the audiometer, the device that measures how you hear sounds. Different pure tones of varying intensity will be sent to your ears one at a time. When you hear a sound, the audiologist will ask you to raise your hand or indicate in some way that you heard the sound.

  The lowest volume required to hear each sound is graphed. A bone oscillator is attached or placed behind your ear to best bone conduction. The test may take up to an hour from start to final report.

• QWhat can I expect from non-stress test (NST)?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  During a non-stress test (NST) the woman will be comfortably positioned in a semi reclining or lateral Sims position. An external fetal monitor is placed on the maternal abdomen to detect and record fetal cardiac activity. Fetal movement is documented with an event button, pushed by the woman when fetal movement is felt. The test will last a minimum of 20 minutes but may be extended to 40-45 minutes to allow for fetal sleep-wake cycles. At the completion of the test, the fetal monitor will be removed and the abdomen cleaned. The test will be interpreted and the results and plan for continued care will be share with the woman.

• QHow do I prepare for an endoscopy?

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  A Chekesha Culbertson, RN , Nursing, answered on behalf of Riverside Community Hospital

  

  Patients should not have anything to eat or drink 6-8 hours before an endoscopy. In this video, Kesha Culbertson, RN, of Riverside Community Hospital, describes how a patient should prepare for this procedure.

  

  Find out more about this DVD:

  How Do I Prepare for an Endoscopy?
  Buy DVD
• QHow is lung function measured?

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  A Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children at P/SL answered

  A test called spirometry may be done in your doctor's office. It allows your doctor to measure your lung function.

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• QWhat is a digital rectal exam (DRE)?

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  A Univ. of Nev. School of Medicine, Family Medicine answered

  A digital rectal exam (DRE) is an exam where a doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to examine the prostate. The purpose of the exam is to determine if there are any irregularities in the size, shape or texture of the prostate. This can be helpful in diagnosing various disorders of the prostate and help distinguish between cancerous conditions and noncancerous conditions. A digital rectal exam is a screening tool for prostate cancer.

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• QWhat are nuclear medicine tests?

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  A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

  These tests are used in cancer diagnosis, often in the form of bone, liver and thyroid scans. A small and safe amount of radioactive material is injected into the blood stream where it becomes absorbed in all tissues and bones. Cancerous cells absorb this material at a faster rate than normal, healthy tissue, which helps locate areas of disease.
  
  
• QWhat is spirometry?

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  A COPD Foundation answered

  Spirometry is a simple, non-invasive test that is used to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). When you take the test, you will be asked to blow all the air out of your lungs into a mouthpiece connected to a machine known as a spirometer. The machine will calculate two numbers: the amount of air you blow out in the first second, and the amount of air you blow out in six seconds or more.

  A spirometry test can also show your doctor how severe your COPD may or may not be. There are several stages of COPD.

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