This presentation is for reference of Allied Health students particularly Nursing students.

1. MEDICAL TEST &
DIAGNOSTIC
PROCEDURES
MS. MARY EDELYN A. ATILANO, RN
LECTURER

2. OVERVIEW
• medical tests and procedures is used to
obtain health information and diagnose
pathological and non-pathological
conditions of the human body.
• Medical test helps plan treatment,
check to see if treatment is working,
or monitor the condition over time.

3. • Medical tests are used to detect
abnormalities or presence of a health
condition in a human body along with
the degree of illness.
• Proper diagnostic processes are
therefore critical to treatment and
recovery from the disease.

4. • Medical tests can be classified by
their purposes, the most common of
which are diagnosis, screening and
evaluation.
• A DIAGNOSTIC TEST is a procedure
performed to confirm or determine the
presence of disease in an individual
suspected of having a disease, usually
following the report of symptoms, or
based on other medical test results.

5. Examples of diagnostic tests are:
Using NUCLEAR MEDICINE to examine a patient
suspected of having a LYMPHOMA.
Measuring the BLOOD SUGAR in a person
suspected of having DIABETES MELLITUS after
periods of increased URINATION.
Taking a COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT of an
individual experiencing a high FEVER to
check for a BACTERIAL INFECTION.
Monitoring ELECTROCARDIOGRAM readings on a
patient suffering CHEST PAIN to diagnose or
determine any HEART irregularities.

6. • A doctor may order these tests as part
of a routine checkup, to check for
certain diseases and disorders, or to
monitor health.
• Success of a medical treatment is
dependent on correct diagnosis of the
disease.

7. DIFFERENT MEDICAL
TEST & DIAGNOSTIC
PROCEDURES

8. 1.
CBC
Complete
blood
count or
full blood
count

9. Complete blood count( CBC ) or full blood
count is a very common type of blood test
which is an analysis of 15 different blood
test readings that gives an overall picture
of a person’s health.
CBC is generally the initial test prescribed
by the doctor to gauge the presence of
infection, anemia or other possible reasons
causing patients’ symptoms.

10. • Human blood consists of three types of
cells — white blood cells (leukocytes),
red blood cells( erythrocytes), and
platelets( thrombocytes).
• Abnormally high or low counts may be
indicative of some diseases.
• CBC is therefore performed in every
routine health check up.

11. 2. CMP
Comprehensive
Metabolic
Panel

12. The comprehensive metabolic panel
comprises of 14 different blood tests
that gives the current status of a
person’s metabolism.
It gives information about kidney
function, liver function, levels of
electrolytes, acid/base balance,
level of blood glucose and blood
proteins.

13. A CMP is done to learn information
about the levels of :
1. Glucose:
The main source of energy in the body.
There should be a relatively constant level of
glucose in the blood.
High glucose percentage in blood points to
diabetes.

14. 2. Calcium:
An essential mineral for proper functioning of
muscles, nerves, and the heart.
Also important for blood clotting and formation
of bones.
3. Electrolytes:
Electrolytes are ionised solutions that can
conduct electricity.
Our body has electrolytes that generate
electricity, contract muscles, move water and
fluids within the body.

15. Normal levels of electrolytes
maintains proper functioning of
cells and organs in our body.
Our body electrolysis include:
•Sodium
•Potassium
•CO2
•Chloride

16. 4. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and
creatinine:
Levels of creatinine and BUN are indicators of
kidney function, as they are the waste
substances filtered from the blood by the
kidneys.
5. Albumin and globulin:
These are called the total proteins which are
essential for building and maintaining muscles,
bones, blood, and organ tissues.
 Protein Deficiencies lead to malnutrition and
liver, and kidney problems.

17. 6. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP),
alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and
aspartate aminotransferase (AST):
High levels of these enzymes in the liver
indicate some problems with liver.
7. Bilirubin:
Bilirubin is a yellow colored compound
excreted in bile and urine, formed due to
breakdown of red blood cells(hemoglobin).
 Higher level of Bilirubin indicates liver
problems.

18. Cardiac
Enzyme
Analysis:
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that
indicates heart conditions.
The ECG machine converts electrical signals
from the heart onto a paper.
The pattern of these signals provides
information to the doctors whether the heart is
okay or not, or under stress, or passing
through strain or other electrical problems.

19. Radiograph
y
is an indispensible
diagnostic tool of modern
medicine that uses X-rays
for imaging of internal
body parts such as bones,
tissues, organs, and
vessels.

20. Various radiography methods include:
1. X-rays — Offers a low cost first-look
exam, used in detecting bone injuries.
2. Mammography — used in the treatment of
breast cancer, to detect tumors of the breasts.
3. Computer Tomography(CT) — It produces
360 degree cross sectional views, used in the
treatments of nearly all parts of the body such
as brain, chest, heart, lungs, and abdomen.

21. 6.
MRI
This technology uses a
powerful magnetic field with
an advanced computer system
and radio waves to produce
accurate and detailed
picture of organs, soft
tissues, bones, and other
internal body structures.
provides more clear views
of the tissues which helps
to understand differences
between normal and abnormal
tissues.
is absolutely harmless
because there is no
radiation involved in this
process.
Magnetic
resonance
imaging

22. 7. Ultrasound / Ultrasonic
Imaging:
Ultrasound scanning or ultrasonography
uses ultrasonic waves ( very high
frequency sound waves) to produce
images of internal body parts such as
organs, tissues, and vessels.
Ultrasound scanning has major
applications in prenatal scanning
(echographs) to detect and treat if
there is any disorder.
Absolutely harmless method as there is
no radiation involved and is quicker,
easier, and less costly.

23. 8. RSV Swab- respiratory
syncytial virus
 RSV testing detects RSV in
nasal secretions. RSV can
cause pneumonia and
bronchiolitis.
The NP (nasopharyngeal) swab
is collected by inserting a
swab into the suspected
person’s nostril, about 1–2
inches in, and then rotating
it gently a few times before
withdrawing.

24. 9. GENETIC
TESTING
Is a test that identifies
changes in chromosomes,
genes, or proteins.
The results of a genetic
test can confirm or rule out
a suspected genetic
condition or help determine
a person’s chance of
developing or passing on a
genetic disorder.

25. Several methods can be
used for genetic testing:
Molecular genetic
tests or gene tests.
Chromosomal genetic
tests
Biochemical genetic
tests

26. 10. SKIN
TEST
Is the introduction of a specific test
substance into the skin of an individual,
either by injection or by scratching the
skin, to determine the possible allergy to
certain substances or his susceptibility
or immunity to certain diseases.
A skin test is usually considered positive
when the skin becomes red and swollen at
the site of contact with the test
material.

27. 1. Patch test - controlled
application of biological or
chemical substances to the skin to
detect if the subject has an
allergic hypersensitivity.
2. Schick test- method for determining
susceptibility to diphtheria in the basis for
inoculation against the disease.
3. Tuberculin test- a procedure for the
diagnosis of TB infection by the introduction
into the skin, usually by injection of a minute
amount of purified protein derivative (PPD)
tuberculin into the forearm.

28. REFERENCES
1.www.MedlinePlus.com , “ Genetic
Testing”, US National Library,
September 21, 2020, Edited.
2.www.Britannica.com, “List of Medical
tests and diagnostic procedures”,
edited 2020.
3.www.slideshare.com, “Medical Procedures
and Diagnostic Tests”, Dr. Chattra
Kumar, June 18, 2018.
4.www.medium.com, “10 Essentials Medical
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures”,
Zarria Alvarez, August 10, 2018.