Common Medical Tests

Common Medical Tests

A Large number of laboratory tests are widely available. Many tests are specified for a particular group of diseases. Generally, specialised tests are described with the appropriate diseases in here. However, many tests are used commonly in many specialities and in general practice.

Screening Tests:

are used to try to detect a disease when there is little or no evidence that a person has the disease. For example, measuring cholesterol levels helps identify the risk of cardiovascular disease, but these tests are performed for people who have no symptoms of cardiovascular disease. To be useful, screening tests must be accurate, be relatively inexpensive, pose little risk, and cause little or no discomfort.

Diagnostic Tests:

on the other hand, are used when a disease is suspected. For example, a doctor who suspects serious heart disease might recommend cardiac catheterization. This test would not be a good screening test because it is expensive, can produce side effects, and is uncomfortable. However, all of these drawbacks are outweighed by the need for this test when disease must be evaluated.

Every test, whether used for screening or diagnosis, has some risk. The risk may be only the need for further testing if the result is abnormal, or it may be the possibility of injury during the test. Doctors weigh the risk of a test against the usefulness of the information it will provide.

Comments

Common Diagnostic of Barium X-ray Studies

Common Diagnostic of Barium X-ray Studies a). Body area tested: Esophagus, Stomach, duodenum, intestine. b). Description: X-ray study to detect ulcers, tumors, or other abnormalities. What does a barium swallow test show? A barium swallow is a test that may be used to determine the cause of painfulswallowing, difficulty with swallowing, abdominal pain, bloodstained vomit, or unexplained weight loss. Barium sulfate is a metallic compound that shows up on X-rays and is used to help see abnormalities in the esophagus and stomach. Where is a barium swallow test performed? A barium swallow may be performed separately or as part of an upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series, which evaluates the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine).

Urine Culture

Urine Culture A urine culture is a test that can detect bacteria in your urine. This test can find and identify the germs that cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). Bacteria, which typically cause UTIs, can enter the urinary tract through the urethra. In the environment of your urinary tract, these bacteria can grow rapidly and develop into an infection. Who is the test for? Urine cultures can identify the microorganisms, typically bacteria, which cause a UTI. UTIs are more common in females than males. This is because a woman’s urethra is shorter and much closer to the anus. Therefore, it’s much easier for bacteria from the intestines to find their way into the urinary tract. Bacteria ascend the urethra into the bladder, ureters, and kidneys, where they can develop into an infection. How is the test administered? The urine for a urine culture can be collected in several different ways. The most common method for collecting urine is the midstream cl...

Antibiotic Sensitivity Test

Antibiotic Sensitivity Test Antibiotic sensitivity or antibiotic susceptibility is the susceptibility of bacteria to antibiotics . Because susceptibility can vary even within a species (with some strains being more resistant than others), antibiotic susceptibility testing ( AST ) is usually carried out to determine which antibiotic will be most successful in treating a bacterial infection in vivo . Testing for antibiotic sensitivity is often done by the Kirby-Bauer method ( agar diffusion test ) . Small wafers containing antibiotics are placed onto a plate upon which bacteria are growing. If the bacteria are sensitive to the antibiotic, a clear ring, or zone of inhibition, is seen around the wafer indicating poor growth. Ideal antibiotic therapy is based on determination of the aetiological agent and its relevant antibiotic sensitivity. Empiric treatment is...

Common Medical Tests

Search This Blog