Below is a summary of Pam’s electronic health record (EHR) while she is in the hospital. As a laboratory or radiology technologist, you are responsible for obtaining and providing test results to assist the physician in diagnosing Pam’s condition. Using her EHR, Virtual Physical Exam (VPE) and Internet research, answer the questions and be prepared to discuss the responses with the rest of Pam’s healthcare team.
Internet Research: After using her bronchodilator, Pam completes another spirometry test and the results are similar, so the pulmonologist orders a pulmonary plethysmography and a diffusing capacity (DLCO) test. Explain these tests to Pam.
Internet Research: How are these tests performed?
Review Pam’s Outpatient EHR: What do the results indicate?
Review Pam’s VPE: The pulmonologist orders an arterial blood gas test (ABG). Using VPE, explain the purpose of this test.
Review Pam’s VPE: What do Pam’s results indicate?
Internet Research: A sputum analysis has also been ordered. What is this test?
Internet Research: Why is the sputum analysis ordered?
Internet Research: You prepare Pam for the chest X-ray that was ordered. What type of information can be learned from a chest x-ray?