AHS 1001: Report on Diagnostic Tests and Patient Evaluation Techniques

This report, focusing on AHS 1001 medical terminology, details various diagnostic tests and patient evaluation techniques across different medical specialties. It explores tests for musculoskeletal complications, including the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Test (ESR), creatine kinase levels, radiog...Read More

Running head: AHS 1001 mrd terminology 1
AHS 1001 mrd terminology
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AHS 1001 mrd terminology
Musculoskeletal complications are the key contributors to many disability cases in our world
today. However, the problem can be detected and the patient evaluated for the complication. The
first test that can be carried out is the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Test, (ESR). It is a test carried
out in the lab. The test involves measuring the how fast blood cells settle at the bottom of a
container with the blood. The rate is seen to be high when inflammation, (swelling and reddening
of the skin) is high. However, since inflammation is found other conditions, ESR by itselfcannot
be used to diagnose and establish a musculoskeletal complication, (Joseph A. & Flanagan, 2013).
Here, the levels of creatine kinase, (an enzyme in the muscles that may be released into the
bloodstream) may also be tested. Radiography, (use of x-rays) is also used to detect
abnormalities in the bones and can also be used to evaluate pain. It diagnoses fractures, tumors,
(abnormal masses of tissues), injuries and also infections. However, due to the advancements in
technology, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (MRI) is preferred, (Plaats, 2012).
The third form of patient evaluation is bone scanning, (radionuclide scanning). It is an imaging
procedure that diagnoses fractures if a radiograph and an MRI fail to show the fracture. It
involves the introduction of a radioactive substance which the healing bone absorbs, (Fogelman,
2012). It is detected by a bone scanning device which develop an image which is seen on a
screen. Although it shows a bone problem, it does not indicate whether it is a fracture, infection
or tumor.
Gastrointestinal complications occur mostly in the postoperative period, (after a surgical
operation).and are caused by eating disorders. The first evaluation that should be done should be
the patient’s history evaluation (Said, 2012). The evaluations include problem and symptom
onset identification. This indicates when the problem started and symptoms accompanied by the

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complications. The setting of the complications’ development is important since it helps in
formulating a differential diagnosis, (duration of pain evolution) since some pain evolves after a
short time and some pain evolves after a long time. The second form of evaluation is a physical
examination. Since body parts work together as a single unit to achieve any function, they may
provide important data needed for diagnosis, (Kauffman, 2013). A comprehensive evaluation of
the body parts should, therefore, be carried out. Inspection of the abdomen, for example, may
reveal scars, hernias (protrusion of a body part), bulges (bumps on the skin), and peristalsis
(movement of food through the intestines). Auscultation (use of a stethoscope to listen to the
body) mainly deals with the analysis of the bowel sounds and should be performed before
percussion (tapping of body parts to identify what is underneath. The third form of evaluation
involves symptom analysis. This is because several symptoms can originate from the
gastrointestinal tract including heartburn, dyspepsia (indigestion), abdominal pains, and nausea.
Patients with the above symptoms should be immediately taken in for diagnosis for
gastrointestinal infections.
When patients have breathing difficulties, doctors may run several tests trying to identify the
causes. The first test is spirometry. Patients are expected to breathe out through a tube until all
the air comes out. Doctors then measure the amount of air going in and out of the lungs. The
diagnosis helps identify the amount of air that can be accommodated by the lungs. The test also
helps in the diagnosis of some conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
which are affected by air intake capacity. During the tests, doctors give medication like
bronchodilators (for the bronchi), puffers (inhalers), nebulizers (machines that convert
medication to mist for patients who don’t use inhalers), mucolytics (mucus removers), and
prednisone (used for inflammation cases) which keeps the airway open. Doctors carry out the

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spirometry test first. The patient is then asked to inhale a spry drug called methacholine (used to
irritate). It irritates the airways making them narrow. The process is then repeated until the
patient feels short of breath. The test is also carried out for exercise-induced asthma (asthma
caused by intense work-out). A treadmill is commonly used. Bronchoscopy test is also
administered to the patient, (Prakash, 2011). Here, the doctor slides in a camera in a small tube.
The camera enables the doctor to look for mucus blood and tumors. Medicine is administered to
make the patient feel sleepy or to numb all airways. The patient may have a sore throat after the
test. The test is also done to diagnose cancer

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References
Fogelman, I. (2012). Bone Scanning in Clinical Practice. Berlin, MA: Springer Science &
Business Media.
Joseph A., J., & Flanagan, J. C. (2013). Management of Orbital and Ocular Adnexal Tumors
and Inflammations. Berlin, MA: Springer Science & Business Media.
Kauffman, M. (2013). History and Physical Examination: A Common Sense Approach.
Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Plaats, G. D. (2012). Medical X-Ray Techniques in Diagnostic Radiology: A textbook for
radiographers and Radiological Technicians. Berlin, MA: Springer Science & Business
Media.
Prakash, U. B. (2013). Bronchoscopy. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Said, H. M. (2012). Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Two Volume Set. Cambridge, MA:
Academic Press.