Toxic Shock Syndrome : Tests

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There is no one diagnostic test for TSS. The diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome is based on several criteria: fever, low blood pressure, rash that peels after 1-2 weeks, and at least 3 organs with signs of dysfunction. In some cases, blood cultures...
Source:ADAM
Date:September 6, 2006
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an uncommon, but potentially serious, illness that occurs when poisonous substances (toxins) produced by certain bacteria enter the bloodstream. The toxins cause a type of blood poisoning caused by staphylococcal, or ...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an uncommon, but potentially serious, illness that occurs when poisonous substances (toxins) produced by bacteria enter the bloodstream. The toxins cause a type of blood poisoning that results in high fever , symptoms...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is an uncommon but potentially serious illness that occurs when poisonous substances (toxins) produced by certain bacteria enter the bloodstream. The toxins cause a type of blood poisoning caused by staphylococcal, or le...
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
Abdominal ultrasound is an imaging procedure used to examine the internal organs of the abdomen including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. The blood vessels to some of these organs can also be evaluated with the use of ultrasound techniques. The ultrasound machine sends out high-frequency sound waves that reflect off body structures to create a picture. Unlike with x-rays, there is no ionizing radiation exposure with this test.
Source:ADAM
Date:October 23, 2006
Abdominal ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to produce two-dimensional images of the body's soft tissues, which are used for a variety of clinical applications, including diagnosis and guidance of treatment procedures. Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation to produce images, and in comparison to other diagnostic imaging modalities, it is low cost, safe, fast, and versatile.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Abdominal ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to form pictures of your abdominal organs. It can help detect organ problems, such as gallstones, kidney stones, or liver disease.
Source:StayWell
Abdominal ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves to produce two-dimensional images of the body ' s soft tissues, which are used for a variety of clinical applications, including diagnosis and guidance of treatment procedures. Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation to produce images, and, in comparison to other diagnostic imaging modalities, it is inexpensive, safe, fast, and versatile.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Ultrasound technology allows doctors to " see " inside a patient without resorting to surgery. A transmitter sends high frequency sound waves into the body, where they bounce off the different tissues and organs to produce a distinctive pattern of echoes.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Blood gases is a test done to measure how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in your blood. It also looks at the acidity (pH) of the blood. Usually, blood gases look at blood from an artery. In rarer cases, blood from a vein may be used.
Source:ADAM
Date:March 1, 2007
Blood gas analysis, also called arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, is a procedure to measure the partial pressure of oxygen (O 2 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gases and the pH (hydrogen ion concentration) in arterial blood. Purpose Blood gas analysis is used to diagnose and evaluate respiratory diseases and conditions that influence how effectively the lungs deliver oxygen to and eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Blood gas analysis, also called arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis, is a test which measures the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as the acidity (pH) of the blood. Purpose An ABG analysis evaluates how effectively the lungs are delivering oxygen to the blood and how efficiently they are eliminating carbon dioxide from it.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Blood gases are defined as the mixture of gases, including oxygen (O 2 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and nitrogen (N 2 ), dissolved in the fluid fraction of blood. Oxygen from the air is transported from the lungs to all tissues of the body, where it is needed for metabolism ; and carbon dioxide, a by-product of metabolism, is taken from the tissues to the lungs to be eliminated.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other microorganisms in a blood sample. Most cultures check for bacteria. A culture may be done using a sample of blood, tissue, stool, urine, or other fluid from the body. See also: Bronchoscopic culture; CSF culture; Endocervix culture; Fecal culture; Throat swab culture; Urethral discharge culture; Urine culture.
Source:ADAM
Date:December 3, 2007
A blood culture is done when a person has symptoms of a blood infection, also called bacteremia . Blood is drawn from the person one or more times and is tested in a laboratory to find and identify any microorganism present and growing in the blood.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
A blood culture is a lab test designed to detect the presence of bacteria , yeast, or fungi in the bloodstream. A routine blood culture involves injecting a sample of the patient's blood into two bottles of sterile nutrient broth (one for aerobes and one for anaerobes), incubating the bottles at 35DEGTAGC, and monitoring the bottles for growth over a period of five days.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Fever evaluation tests, better known as febrile agglutinins tests, are performed to detect the presence of antibodies in the blood that are sensitive to temperature changes. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to specific infectious agents, such as viruses or bateria.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The picture is much more detailed than x-ray image and involves no radiation exposure.
Source:ADAM
Date:April 12, 2007
Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart muscle. Ultrasound waves that rebound or echo off the heart can show the size, shape, and movement of the heart ' s valves and chambers as well as the flow of blood through the heart.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Detailed information on echocardiography, including types and how the procedure is performed
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on a echocardiography (echo) procedure, including how the procedure is performed, reasons for the procedure, and pre- and post-evaluation instructions
Source:StayWell
An echocardiogram (echo) is an imaging test. It helps your doctor evaluate your heart. Here is how it works.
Source:StayWell
Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to produce an image of the heart muscle and the heart ' s valves. Purpose Echocardiography is used to diagnose certain cardiovascular diseases, and is one of the most widely used diagnostic tests for heart disease.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following: The number of red blood cells (RBCs; The number of white blood cells (WBCs; The total amount of hemoglobin in the blood; The fraction of the blood composed of red blood cells (hematocrit; The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) - the size of the red blood cells. CBC also includes information about the red blood cells that is calculated from the other measurements: MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin; MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. The platelet count is also usually included in the CBC.
Source:ADAM
Date:September 11, 2006
One of the most commonly ordered clinical laboratory tests, a blood count, also called a complete blood count (CBC), is a basic evaluation of the cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) suspended in the liquid part of the blood (plasma). It involves determining the numbers, concentrations, and conditions of the different types of blood cells.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
A complete blood count (CBC) is a series of tests used to evaluate the composition and concentration of the cellular components of blood. It consists of the following tests: red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet count; measurement of hemoglobin and mean red cell volume; classification of white blood cells (WBC differential); and calculation of hematocrit and red blood cell indices .
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A complete blood count (CBC) is a series of tests used to evaluate the composition and concentration of the cellular components of blood. It consists of the following tests: red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, and platelet count; measurement of hemoglobin and mean red cell volume; classification of white blood cells (WBC differential); and calculation of hematocrit and red blood cell indices .
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
The clinical laboratory test that evaluates the three main cellular components of peripheral blood (red cells, white cells, and platelets) is called the " complete blood count " (CBC). It is used commonly to assess whether a patient is anemic (low red cell count), has an infection (increased white blood cells), or has abnormal blood coagulation (platelet levels).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 18, 2007
A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland and the bones of the chest area.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Detailed information on chest x-rays, including reasons for the procedure
Source:StayWell
A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland, and the bones of the chest area.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs , heart , small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, and the bones of the chest area.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. ECG is used to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats as well as the size and position of the chambers, the presence of any damage to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart (such as a pacemaker. See also stress test and Holter monitor (24h.
Source:ADAM
Date:July 17, 2006
The electrocardiogram (ECG) displays important information about the heart, including the occurrence of a heart attack or lack of oxygen, whether conduction of the heartbeat is disturbed, or its rate or rhythm altered. It is useful as a rapid indicator of the diagnosis and it is easy, painless, and inexpensive to record.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
Detailed information on electrocardiogram, including how the EKG/ECG is performed and what happens after the procedure
Source:StayWell
Electrocardiography is a commonly used, noninvasive procedure for recording electrical changes in the heart. The record, which is called an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), shows the series of waves that relate to the electrical impulses that occur during each beat of the heart.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Did you know that electrical currents flow throughout your body? Because the strongest of these travels through your heart, doctors are able to monitor your heart by placing electrical sensors on the surface of your skin. They do this by giving you an electrocardiogram -- abbreviated either ECG or EKG (from the original German spelling of the word).
Source:StayWell
The ECG (also known as EKG) is a test that records electrical signals from your heart onto a paper strip. The pattern of these signals can tell the doctor whether your heart is normal, under stress, or experiencing electrical problems, strain, or damage.
Source:StayWell
Detailed information on an electrocardiogram (EKG) procedure, including how the procedure is performed, reasons for the procedure, and pre- and post-evaluation instructions
Source:StayWell
The Harvard Health Letter celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In the first of a series, the Health Letter takes a look back at three decades in medicine.
Source:StayWell
Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged molecules, called ions, that are found within cells, between cells, in the bloodstream, and in other fluids throughout the body. Electrolytes with a positive charge include sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium; the negative ions are chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Electrolytes are positively or negatively charged particles that readily dissolve in water. The predominant positively charged electrolytes in the body are sodium, potassium, calcium , and magnesium, while negatively charged electrolytes include chloride, phosphates, and bicarbonate.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged molecules called ions, that are found within the body ' s cells and extracellular fluids, including blood plasma. A test for electrolytes includes the measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged ions that are found within the cells and extracellular fluids, including blood plasma. A test for electrolytes includes the measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient's body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems. A typical physical examination includes: Inspection (looking at the body; Palpation (feeling the body with hands; Auscultation (listening to sounds; Percussion (producing sounds.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 22, 2007
Lactic acid is an acid produced by cells during chemical processes in the body that do not require oxygen (anaerobic metabolism). Anaerobic metabolism occurs only when too little oxygen is present for the more usual aerobic metabolism (oxygen requiring).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Liver function tests, or LFTs, include tests for bilirubin, a breakdown product of hemoglobin, and ammonia, a protein byproduct that is normally converted into urea by the liver before being excreted by the kidneys. LFTs also commonly include tests to measure levels of several enzymes, which are special proteins that help the body break down and use (metabolize) other substances.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Detailed information on the most common liver function tests, including serum bilirubin test, serum albumin test, serum alkaline phosphatase test, serum aminotransferases, prothrombin time test, alanine transaminase test, aspartate transaminase test, gamm
Source:StayWell
Liver function tests, or LFTs, include tests that are routinely measured in all clinical laboratories. LFTs include bilirubin, a compound formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin; ammonia, a breakdown product of protein that is normally converted into urea by the liver before being excreted by the kidneys; proteins that are made by the liver including total protein, albumin, prothrombin, and fibrinogen; cholesterol and triglycerides, which are made and excreted via the liver; and the enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
Liver function tests, or LFTs, include tests that are routinely measured in all clinical laboratories. LFTs include bilirubin, a compound formed by the catabolism of hemoglobin; ammonia, a product of protein catabolism that is normally converted into urea by the liver before being excreted by the kidneys ; proteins that are made by the liver including total protein, albumin, prothrombin, and fibrinogen; cholesterol and triglycerides, which are made and excreted via the liver; and the enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is a blood test that looks at how long it takes for blood to clot. It can help tell if you have bleeding or clotting problems.
Source:ADAM
Date:March 9, 2007
The partial thromboplastin time (PTT) test is a blood test that is done to investigate bleeding disorders and to monitor patients taking an anticlotting drug (heparin). Purpose Diagnosis Blood clotting (coagulation) depends on the action of substances in the blood called clotting factors.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Prothrombin time (PT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion (plasma) of your blood to clot. See also: Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Source:ADAM
Date:March 9, 2007
The prothrombin time test belongs to a group of blood tests that assess the clotting ability of blood. The test is also known as the pro time or PT test.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Hemostasis has been described as "a process by which the body spontaneously stops bleeding and maintains blood in the fluid state within the vascular compartment." There are at least four major systems that are involved in this complex process: the vasculature system, the platelets, the fibrin-forming system, and the fibrin- lysing system.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
The serum albumin test measures the amount of albumin in serum, the clear liquid portion of blood.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 22, 2007
An ALT test measures the amount of the enzyme ALT in serum (the liquid part of the blood.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 22, 2007
An AST blood test measures the amount of the enzyme AST.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 22, 2007
The Aspartate aminotransferase test measures levels of AST, an enzyme released into the blood when certain organs or tissues, particularly the liver and heart, are injured. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) is also known as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT).
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine, which is an important part of muscle. A serum creatinine test measures the amount of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine can also be measured with a urine test. See: Creatinine - urine
Source:ADAM
Date:October 22, 2007
Creatine is an important compound produced by the body. It combines with phosphorus to make a high-energy phosphate compound in the body.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
A serum magnesium test is done to see how much magnesium there is in the blood.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 22, 2007
The serum phosphorus test measures the amount of phosphate in the blood.
Source:ADAM
Date:March 18, 2008
This test measures the amount of potassium in the blood. Potassium (K) helps nerves and muscles communicate. It also helps move nutrients into cells and waste products out of cells. Potassium levels in the body are mainly controlled by the hormone aldosterone. See also: Aldosterone test
Source:ADAM
Date:May 15, 2007
This test measures the amount of sodium in the blood.
Source:ADAM
Date:October 26, 2007
Bilirubin is a product that results from the breakdown of hemoglobin. Total and direct bilirubin are usually measured to screen for or to monitor liver or gallbladder problems.
Source:ADAM
Date:January 22, 2007
A bilirubin test is a diagnostic blood test performed to measure levels of bile pigment in an individual ' s blood serum and to help evaluate liver function. Purpose The bilirubin test is an important part of routine newborn (neonatal) diagnostic screening tests.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health
Monitors the liver function of newborns. The bilirubin test is a blood test to monitor the liver function of newborns.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence
Serum calcium is a laboratory test to measure the amount of calcium in your blood. All cells need calcium in order to work. Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth. It is important for heart function, and helps with muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. Calcium can also be measured in the urine. See: Calcium - urine test
Source:ADAM
Date:October 30, 2007
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine.
Source:ADAM
Date:May 5, 2008
Urinalysis is a diagnostic physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of a urine sample (specimen). Specimens can be obtained by normal emptying of the bladder (voiding) or by a hospital procedure called catheterization.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine
The urine specimen collection is a procedure used to obtain a sample of urine from a patient for diagnostic tests. Purpose The purpose of obtaining a urine sample is to test for any abnormalities that may be present, such as bacteria , ketones, or drugs.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
A urinalysis is a group of manual and/or automated qualitative and semi-quantitative tests performed on a urine sample. A routine urinalysis usually includes the following tests: color, transparency, specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood, bilirubin, nitrite, urobilinogen, and leukocyte esterase.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery
A urine dipstick is a colorimetric chemical assay that can be used to determine the pH, specific gravity, protein, glucose, ketone, bilirubin, urobilinogen, blood, leukocyte, and nitrite levels of an individual ' s urine. It consists of a reagent stick-pad, which is immersed in a fresh urine specimen and then withdrawn.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
Urine typically contains epithelial cells shed from the urinary tract. Urine cytology evaluates this urinary sediment for the presence of cancerous cells from the lining of the urinary tract, and it is a convenient noninvasive technique for follow-up analysis of patients treated for urinary tract cancers.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
A urinalysis is a group of manual and/or automated qualitative and semi-quantitative tests performed on a urine sample. A routine urinalysis usually includes the following tests: color, transparency, specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, blood , bilirubin, nitrite, urobilinogen, and leukocyte esterase.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health
Urinalysis is an important test used in diagnosing diseases of the genitourinary tract. Urine is examined for pH and specific gravity by chemical and direct microscopic methods.
Source:Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health
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