A urine culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria) in the urine that can cause an infection. Bacteria can enter through the urethra and cause a urinary tract infection (UTI). A sample of urine is added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. If no germs grow, the culture is negative. … [Read more…]
Peritoneal dialysis is a way to remove waste products from your blood when your kidneys can’t adequately do the job any longer. This procedure filters the blood in a different way than does the more common blood-filtering procedure called hemodialysis. During peritoneal dialysis, a cleansing fluid flows through a tube (catheter) into part of your abdomen. … [Read more…]
Spirometry is a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions by measuring how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath. It’s carried out using a device called a spirometer, which is a small machine attached by a cable to a mouthpiece. Spirometry is one of the most commonly used approaches … [Read more…]
The electrocardiogram (abbreviated as ECG or EKG) represents an electrical tracing of the heart and is recorded non-invasively from the surface of the body. The word ECG derives from the German language. In German, it is elektro-kardiographie. In 1902, the Dutch physician Einthovan invented ECG, and his tremendous input in the clinical studies for about … [Read more…]
How to Examine Knee Joint /The knee examination, in medicine and physiotherapy, is performed as part of a physical examination, or when a patient presents with knee pain or a history that suggests a pathology of the knee joint. The knee examination, in medicine and physiotherapy, is performed as part of a physical examination, or when a patient presents with knee pain or a history that suggests a pathology … [Read more…]
Clinical Examination of Lower Limb Deformity/When a child is born, it has 10-15 degrees of physiological genu varum, 5-degree internal tibial torsion and external rotation contracture of the hip. It reaches the maximum by about 9-12 months. This usually gets corrected to neutral by the age of 18-24 months then the limb develops a valgus … [Read more…]
The lower limb examination is a skill to elicit neurological signs, such as nerve problems that supply the legs and feet. Patients may present with a number of complaints including altered sensation, for example, pins and needles or numbness or loss of power of a limb. It may be intermittent such as multiple sclerosis or … [Read more…]
Plasmapheresis is a therapeutic intervention that involves extracorporeal removal, return, or exchange of blood plasma or components. The underlying mechanism of this procedure is accomplished by either centrifugation or filtration using semipermeable membranes. This activity reviews plasmapheresis as a therapeutic intervention that involves extracorporeal removal, return, or exchange of blood plasma or components. This intervention … [Read more…]
Blood transfusions are a relatively common medical procedure and while typically safe, there are multiple complications that practitioners need to be able to recognize and treat. This activity reviews the indications for blood transfusion, including for special patient populations, the pre-transfusion preparation and the potential complications of blood transfusions. This activity highlights the role of … [Read more…]
Bleeding time is a clinical laboratory test performed to evaluate platelet function. It involves the creation of a standardized incision and timing the cessation of bleeding. The historical indications were the pre-operative assessment of patients taking aspirin or NSAIDs and screening for von-Willebrand disease. Unfortunately, it is insensitive and lacks reproducibility.[rx] Platelet function assay (i.e … [Read more…]
Platelet transfusion is a lifesaving procedure that is carried out to prevent bleeding or stop ongoing bleeding in patients with low platelet count or functional platelet disorders. There are minimum thresholds at which platelets are transfused in these patients, as not all low levels of platelet warrants a transfusion. Platelet is a scarce resource as … [Read more…]
An ileostomy is a surgery that makes a temporary or permanent opening called a stoma. A stoma is a pathway from the lowest part of the small intestine, called the ileum, to the outside of your abdomen. This helps solid waste and gas exit the body without passing through the colon or the rectum. An ileostomy … [Read more…]