arterial blood gas
abbr ABG
blood test that measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood
bronchoscopy
endoscopic procedure used to examine the bronchial tubes visually
chest x-ray
abbr CXR
one of the most common imaging techniques for the respiratory system
used to visualize abnormalities
may also include use of a contrast medium, as in pulmonary angiography
computed tomography
abbr CT
imaging technique that can image the respiratory system and associated structures by creating cross sections or "slices" of tissue
laryngoscopy
endoscopic procedure used to visualize the interior of the larynx
lung perfusion scan
nuclear medicine test that produces an image of blood flow to the lungs
used to detect pulmonary embolism
lung ventilation scan
test using radiopharmaceuticals to produce a picture of how air is distributed in the lungs
measures the ability of the lungs to take in air
magnetic resonance imaging
abbr MRI
computerized imaging that uses radiofrequency pulses to detect lung tumors, embolisms, and chest trauma
Mantoux skin test
intradermal injection of purified protein derivative (PPD) used to detect the presence of tuberculosis antibodies
mediastinoscopy
endoscopic procedure used for visual examination of the structures contained within the space between the lungs
peak flow meter
instrument used in a pulmonary function test (PFT) to measure breathing capacity
pulmonary function tests
abbr PFT
procedures for determining the capacity of the lungs to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently
pulse oximetry
test to measure oxygen in arterial blood, in which a noninvasive, cliplike device is attached to either the earlobe or the fingertip
quantiferon-TB gold test
definitive blood test to diagnose tuberculosis
sonography
use of high-frequency sound waves to image structures within the body
spirometry
test to measure the air capacity of the lungs with a
spirometer
sputum culture and sensitivity
cultivation of microorganisms from sputum that has been collected from expectoration
stethoscope
an instrument commonly used to listen to sounds within the body, especially the chest
sweat test
method of evaluating sodium and chloride concentration in sweat as a means of diagnosing cystic fibrosis
thoracoscopy
visual exam of the chest cavity
throat culture
cultivation of microorganisms from a throat swab to determine the type of organism that is causing a disorder
adenoidectomy
excision of the pharyngeal tonsils, or adenoids
bronchoplasty
surgical repair of a bronchial defect
endotracheal intubation
passage of a tube through the mouth into the trachea to ensure a patent airway
laryngectomy
excision of the voice box
pulmonary resection
excision of a portion or a lobe of the lung or an entire lung
lobectomy = entire lobe
pneumonectomy = entire lung excised
rhinoplasty
surgical repair of the nose for healthcare or cosmetic reasons
septoplasty
surgical repair of the wall between the nares
sinusotomy
incision of a sinus
thoracocentesis
aspiration of fluid from the pleural cavity
also pleurocentesis or thoracentesis
thoracotomy
incision of the chest as a means of approach for surgery
tonsillectomy
excision of the palatine tonsils
tracheostomy
opening through the neck into the trachea, through which an indwelling tube may be inserted temporarily or permanently
tracheotomy
incision made into the trachea below the larynx to gain access to the airway
usually performed as an emergency procedure