Respiratory system diagnostic tests: Difference between revisions
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* Its alarm is usually set on 90% | * Its alarm is usually set on 90% | ||
* A decrease of oxygen saturation below 80% needs attention. | * A decrease of oxygen saturation below 80% needs attention. | ||
* In some cases for instance COPD, an oxygen saturation below 80% is normal | * In some cases for instance, [[COPD]], an oxygen saturation below 80% is normal and patient is compensated | ||
* False results may be due to: | * False results may be due to: | ||
** Skin pigmentation | ** Skin pigmentation | ||
** Nail paints | ** Nail paints | ||
** Carbon monooxide poisoning | ** [[Carbon monooxide poisoning]] | ||
** Dyshemoglobulinemia | ** [[Dyshemoglobulinemia]] | ||
** Poor perfusion | ** Poor perfusion | ||
===Arterial blood gas=== | ===Arterial blood gas=== | ||
* Heparinized blood from peripheral arteries like radial, brachial, and femoral | |||
* Measure pH, PaO2, PaCO2, and FiO2 (percent of inspired oxygen) | |||
* For interpretation of ABG click [[Arterial blood gas|here]] | |||
== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|2}} | |||
{{ | |||
[[Category:Pulmonology]] | [[Category:Pulmonology]] | ||
[[Category:Medical tests]] | [[Category:Medical tests]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:00, 26 May 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
In medicine, the respiratory examination is performed as part of a physical examination, or when a patient presents with a respiratory problem (dyspnea (shortness of breath), cough, chest pain) or a history that suggests a pathology of the lungs.
Respiratory system diagnostic tests
Sputum examination
- Appearance, color, presence of blood, and smell
- Colorless (Bronchitis)
- Green (pulmonary infection)
- Red (carcinoma)
- Frothy pink (pulmonary edema)
- Black (pollutants)
- Order tests - Routine microscopy (gram and ZN stain), cytology, culture
Peak expiratory flow
- Maximal forced expiration through peak flow meter.
- Used to estimate airway caliber in COPD, and asthma
Pulse oximetry
- Quick, non-invasive way of measurement of peripheral oxygen saturation
- Its alarm is usually set on 90%
- A decrease of oxygen saturation below 80% needs attention.
- In some cases for instance, COPD, an oxygen saturation below 80% is normal and patient is compensated
- False results may be due to:
- Skin pigmentation
- Nail paints
- Carbon monooxide poisoning
- Dyshemoglobulinemia
- Poor perfusion
Arterial blood gas
- Heparinized blood from peripheral arteries like radial, brachial, and femoral
- Measure pH, PaO2, PaCO2, and FiO2 (percent of inspired oxygen)
- For interpretation of ABG click here