Pulmonary Function, Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs), and Electrolyte Studies OVERVIEW OF PULMONARY FUNCTION TESTS Pulmonary Physiology There are three aspects of pulmonary function: perfusion, diffusion, and ventilation. Perfusion relates to…
Special Diagnostic Studies OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES These special studies have been selected for discussion because of their great diagnostic value in identifying diseases and disorders of certain organs…
Prenatal Diagnosis and Tests of Fetal Well-Being OVERVIEW OF PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS Fetal well-being depends on maternal health (see Chapter 6, page 336 for gestational diabetes screening). Many routine prenatal tests…
Ultrasound Studies OVERVIEW OF ULTRASOUND STUDIES Ultrasound (ultrasonography) is a noninvasive procedure for visualizing soft tissue structures of the body by recording the reflection of inaudible sound waves directed into…
Microbiologic Studies OVERVIEW OF MICROBIOLOGIC STUDIES Diagnostic Testing and Microbes Microorganisms that cause infectious disease are defined as pathogens. Organisms that are pathogenic under one set of conditions may, under…
Chemistry Studies OVERVIEW OF CHEMISTRY STUDIES Blood chemistry testing identifies many chemical blood constituents. It is often necessary to measure several blood chemicals to establish a pattern of abnormalities. A…
Immunodiagnostic Studies OVERVIEW OF IMMUNODIAGNOSTIC STUDIES Immunodiagnostic or serodiagnostic testing studies antigen-antibody reactions for diagnosis of infectious disease, autoimmune disorders, immune allergies, and neoplastic disease. These modalities also test for…
Cerebrospinal Fluid Studies OVERVIEW OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF) Description, Formation, and Composition of CSF Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless fluid formed within the cavities (i.e., ventricles) of the…
Blood Studies: Hematology and Coagulation OVERVIEW OF BASIC BLOOD, HEMATOLOGY, AND COAGULATION TESTS Composition of Blood The average person circulates about 5 L of blood (1/13 of total body weight),…
Stool Studies OVERVIEW OF STOOL STUDIES The elimination of digestive waste products from the body is essential to health. Excreted waste products are known as stool or feces. Stool examination…
