Diagnostic Tests and Laboratory Values

Group #

Surname, First Name

Surname, First Name
Surname, First Name

Prof.

September 2021
Question/Case Study 1
Mary who is 3 months pregnant is being evaluated for
pancreatitis. An ultrasound examination of her gallbladder
and pancreas has been ordered. The client is concerned
that the test may harm her unborn child. ( 6 points)
1. Ultrasound may harm the unborn child through
radiation delivered by the device and should be
advised against.
a. True
b. False

2. The client does not understand how the ultrasound can examine her gallbladder
and pancreas. What information can the nurse give the client to inform her about
the test?
a. This test involves the use of X-rays to produce images related to bone structure
and tissue in the body.
b. This test is used to visualize soft-tissue organs, blood vessels, and tissues
using high-frequency sound waves.
c. This test involves the direct visualization of the bladder wall and urethra with
the use of a cystoscope (lighted telescopic lens). Usually performed by a
urologist.
d. This test evaluates blood flow after an intravenous injection of the
radioisotope thallium-201. Areas with poor blood flow and ischemic cells fail
to take up the isotope and thus appear as cold spots on the scan.

3. What outcomes are possible from this test?

a. Evaluate the size, structure, and position of body organs.
b. Evaluate the blood flow in arteries and veins.
c. Detect cysts, tumours, and calculi.
d. All of the above
Question/Case Study 2
Renz is being evaluated for lung surgery.
Pulmonary function tests (PFT) are ordered. The
client has an order for Albuterol for
bronchospasm. (4 points)

1. This drug should be given to optimize the

results of the test.
a. True
b. False

2. What measures can the PFT provide?

a) Spirometry: how much and how quickly air is inhaled and exhaled from the lungs.
b) Gas diffusion test: measures the amount of oxygen and other gases that move
through the lungs’ air sacs (alveoli) per minute.
c) Inhalation challenge: used to measure how the airways respond to substances that
may be causing asthma or wheezing.
d) Exercise stress test: looks at how exercise affects the lungs.
e) A and C
f) B and D
g) All of the above
Question/Case Study 3
Alexander is a 35 -year-old male patient who has an eight-
month history of epigastric discomfort. He tells the physician
that the pain always happens about 1 1/2 hours after he
eats. He also says that his sleep is disturbed most nights.
Alexander says that he has been able to manage the pain
somewhat by taking Pantoprazole before meals or eating
more food. The doctor decides to order an upper GI series of
X-rays and endoscopy (20 points)

Questions
1. Describe the nursing care for this client in preparation for each of these tests.

2. What are the rationales for ordering these tests for Alexander?

3. What factors could interfere with these tests and affect their outcomes?

4. Describe the nursing responsibilities to the client after each of the tests is completed.
Question/Case Study 4

Christine, a 47-year-old female with substernal chest pain, was admitted to the coronary care
unit. She is married to Mark Joshua, and
they have two children in high school.
Christine works in a plant that manufactures
fabric colors for the textile industry. She has
told the admitting resident doctor that, in
the last six months, she has been having
chest pain that radiates to her neck, arms
and jaw during exercise or when she feels
stressed. The pain dissipates when she is
able to stop what she is doing and relax for
a bit. The results of her physical exam were more or less normal, other than a midsystolic
murmur that was heard over the aortic area. (20 points)

Questions
1. Which diagnostic tests are likely to be ordered for Joe?

2. What preparations does the nurses anticipate that he or she will need to do before Joe’s
tests?

3. What care will the nurses provide to Joe after the diagnostic tests?

4. What rationale can the nurses give Patrick’s family for why these tests were ordered?
Question/Case Study 5 (10 points)

1. The nurses is caring for a client, Pauline, a 18 year old student nurse, who has vomiting
and diarrhea that has lasted for 48 hours. She is complaining of dizziness and leg
cramps. Which lab test(s) will the nurses anticipate being ordered for this client?
 
2. The nurses is managing care to patient Irish who is experiencing hematuria and
complaints of dysuria. Which lab test(s) will likely be ordered for this client?

3. The nurses is working in a community clinic for patients with diabetes. Beverly is a new
client who has been experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia for some months now.
The doctor has decided to send Beverly to the clinic for a full assessment of her blood
sugar levels and diabetic status. What lab tests can the nurses expect to be ordered for
Beverly, and what are the normal values for these tests?
Question/Case Study 5 (10 points)

1. How are tumor markers used in cancer care?

2. Can tumor markers be used as a screening test for cancer?

 References:

In APA 7

Case Study 5
A seven-year-old boy was brought to his pediatrician because he had developed hematuria,
which required hospitalization. About six weeks before his admission, he had had a severe
sore throat but received no treatment for it. Subsequently, he did well except for complaints
of mild lethargy and decrease in appetite. For the ten days before admission, he had an
elevated temperature. He complained of minimal bilateral back pain. Physical examination
revealed a well-developed young boy with moderate bilateral tenderness. (10 points)

1 List all the laboratory testing involved with this child’s disease process. Consider
rationale for each.

2. What client teaching and nursing implications are involved with the above-mentioned
tests?