DIAGNOSTIC/LABORATOR INDICATION/PURPOSE RESULT ANALYSIS AND NURSING

Y PROCEDURES S INTERPRETATION RESPONSIBILITIES

OF RESULTS
Chest X-ray (CXR) An imaging test that helps doctors Bilateral air space Presence of viral lung BEFORE
to discern the condition of the opacification infection causing  Instruct the patient
lungs, heart and blood vessels. inflammation and fluid build regarding the procedure
Normal result: up in the lungs.  Assist the patient to the
Hollow structures x-ray room
containing mostly air,  Instruct the patient to
such as the lungs, wear x-ray gown and
normally appear dark. In remove any jewelry or
a normal chest X-ray, metallic objects.
the chest cavity is  Assess the patient’s
outlined on each side by ability to hold his breath
the white bony structures  Educate the patient about
that represent the ribs of the procedure
the chest wall.
AFTER
 Collaborate with other
healthcare member,
particularly to a
radiologist.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Test measures the acidity (pH) and pH: 7.20 The result indicates increase BEFORE
the levels of oxygen and carbon PaO2: 70 mmHg level of carbon dioxide in the  Explain the procedure to
dioxide in the blood from an PaCO2: 48 mmHg blood (hypercarbia) resulting the patient.
artery. This test is used to find out HCO3: 24 mEq/L to respiratory acidosis with  Tell the patient that the
how well the lungs are able to hypoxemia or decrease level test requires a blood
move oxygen into the blood and Normal values: of oxygen in the blood. sample.
remove carbon dioxide from the pH: 7.35 - 7.45  Explain to the patient,
blood. PaO2: 80 - 100 mmHg who will perform the
PaCO2: 35 - 45 mmHg arterial puncture, when it
HCO3: 22 - 26 mEq/L will occur, and where the
puncture site will be;
radial, brachial, or
femoral artery.
 Inform the patient that he
may not need to restrict
food and fluids.
 Instruct the patient to
breathe normally during
the test, and warn him
that he may experience a
brief cramping or
throbbing pain at the
puncture site.
 Prepare and gather all
equipments needed

DURING
 Perform hand hygiene