DIAGNOSIS - HOW IS IT CARRIED OUT?
GABRIELLE ELMES (497977) Health + Social Care Level 3 (year 2)
(UNIT 14 TASK 2) 7/1/2021
P3 - DESCRIBE the investigations that are carried out to enable diagnosis of
Coronary Heart Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Investigative Testing- An investigative test is done based on your signs and
symptoms. For example a urine test is taken when someone complains of having a
burning sensation while peeing or urine that is an odd colour. This way the
abnormality is investigated by a urine sample. Another example of investigative
testing is if someone complained of having a dizzy feeling and getting breathless
while climbing the stairs, a blood investigation will be taken to determine the reason
why. When you are taking your own temperature every couple hours. This is an
example of an investigative procedure.
Diagnostic Testing- On the other hand, diagnostic testing is used to confirm or rule
out conditions or diseases. They can be invasive or noninvasive depending on the
issue. An example of an invasive diagnostic procedure is a blood sample, biopsie,
colonoscopie etc. and a non invasive diagnostic procedure would be a diagnostic
imaging procedure which creates images of your organs, tissue etc. without invasive
measures to diagnose and rule out disease. These are machines such as an X-Ray,
MRI, Ultrasound etc.
With both CHD and inflammatory bowel syndrome it first involves referral. There are
3 main ways to be referred:
- SELF-REFERRAL- This is when patients refer themself to a health
professional usually their GP. Self-referral to a specialist is unusual and
occurs when the patient is known to a specialist from a previous consultation
and has been told to return if symptoms appear again. People may also refer
themselves to private health professionals outside of the NHS such as a
physiotherapist.
- PROFESSIONAL REFERRAL- When a doctor examines the patient and feels
the need to involve a consultant. If the patient is on private health care, they
are usually seen in a couple of days. But with a regular family doctor, they will
decide to see you a few times before involving a consultant. It can be around
7 weeks before they are seen by a consultant. The doctor may also arrange
for the patient to have X-rays, blood tests, physiotherapy or another service.
- THIRD PARTY REFERRAL- This happens when a relative or friend decides
that an individual should be seen by a health professional such as a GP
because they are unable to do so themselves. It can also occur when a
member of a profession notices something that should be investigated. For
1
, example an optician might write to a GP if their examination suggests an
underlying issue such as diabetes.
CORONARY HEART DISEASE
I will now be describing investigation undertaken to diagnose Coronary Heart
Disease
MEDICAL HISTORY- The GP or doctor will ask the patient appropriate questions
about their symptoms and any previous disorders that could influence the
development of CHD. The GP/Doctor should look for significant clues in their
medical/family history that could point them towards a diagnosis of CHD. Such as is
there any medication they take that has an effect on the heart/arteries etc. that could
possibly cause CHD? They would also look at the family history of the individual and
see if there are any heart/CHD traits in the family that could lead them to diagnose
CHD.
The professional will be able to look at medical/family history of CHD and determine
the likelihood of the individual having developed this disease. The doctor may then
do physical examination such as using a stethoscope to listen to their heart, taking
blood pressure etc. to lead to a more accurate diagnosis of CHD. The GP will take a
‘risk assessment’ of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke to help them
diagnose.
BLOOD TEST- a blood test done by finger prick most times or a venipuncture will be
taken to assess the individuals cholesterol levels to see further if CHD is a
possibility. The patient is asked to not eat for 12 hours so the food in the body will
not affect the result. Along with this blood test, the GP will take into account your
lifestyle, if you exercise and if you smoke to help diagnose CHD.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM- this is a test that checks the heart's rhythm and electrical
activity. Sensors are attached to the skin to detect electrical signals produced by
your heart each time it beats. These signals are then recorded onto a machine and
checked over by a doctor to make sure they are regular.
EXERCISE STRESS TEST- This is a type of specially designed function test to
diagnose CHD. It assesses and measures the heart's ability in responding to
external stress and is controlled in a clinical environment. The stress response is
simulated through getting the patient to exercise (such as on a treadmill) and the
patient is hooked up to an EKG machine to assess the heart's function during this
test. This is a very common form of investigation used to diagnose CHD.
2
GABRIELLE ELMES (497977) Health + Social Care Level 3 (year 2)
(UNIT 14 TASK 2) 7/1/2021
P3 - DESCRIBE the investigations that are carried out to enable diagnosis of
Coronary Heart Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Investigative Testing- An investigative test is done based on your signs and
symptoms. For example a urine test is taken when someone complains of having a
burning sensation while peeing or urine that is an odd colour. This way the
abnormality is investigated by a urine sample. Another example of investigative
testing is if someone complained of having a dizzy feeling and getting breathless
while climbing the stairs, a blood investigation will be taken to determine the reason
why. When you are taking your own temperature every couple hours. This is an
example of an investigative procedure.
Diagnostic Testing- On the other hand, diagnostic testing is used to confirm or rule
out conditions or diseases. They can be invasive or noninvasive depending on the
issue. An example of an invasive diagnostic procedure is a blood sample, biopsie,
colonoscopie etc. and a non invasive diagnostic procedure would be a diagnostic
imaging procedure which creates images of your organs, tissue etc. without invasive
measures to diagnose and rule out disease. These are machines such as an X-Ray,
MRI, Ultrasound etc.
With both CHD and inflammatory bowel syndrome it first involves referral. There are
3 main ways to be referred:
- SELF-REFERRAL- This is when patients refer themself to a health
professional usually their GP. Self-referral to a specialist is unusual and
occurs when the patient is known to a specialist from a previous consultation
and has been told to return if symptoms appear again. People may also refer
themselves to private health professionals outside of the NHS such as a
physiotherapist.
- PROFESSIONAL REFERRAL- When a doctor examines the patient and feels
the need to involve a consultant. If the patient is on private health care, they
are usually seen in a couple of days. But with a regular family doctor, they will
decide to see you a few times before involving a consultant. It can be around
7 weeks before they are seen by a consultant. The doctor may also arrange
for the patient to have X-rays, blood tests, physiotherapy or another service.
- THIRD PARTY REFERRAL- This happens when a relative or friend decides
that an individual should be seen by a health professional such as a GP
because they are unable to do so themselves. It can also occur when a
member of a profession notices something that should be investigated. For
1
, example an optician might write to a GP if their examination suggests an
underlying issue such as diabetes.
CORONARY HEART DISEASE
I will now be describing investigation undertaken to diagnose Coronary Heart
Disease
MEDICAL HISTORY- The GP or doctor will ask the patient appropriate questions
about their symptoms and any previous disorders that could influence the
development of CHD. The GP/Doctor should look for significant clues in their
medical/family history that could point them towards a diagnosis of CHD. Such as is
there any medication they take that has an effect on the heart/arteries etc. that could
possibly cause CHD? They would also look at the family history of the individual and
see if there are any heart/CHD traits in the family that could lead them to diagnose
CHD.
The professional will be able to look at medical/family history of CHD and determine
the likelihood of the individual having developed this disease. The doctor may then
do physical examination such as using a stethoscope to listen to their heart, taking
blood pressure etc. to lead to a more accurate diagnosis of CHD. The GP will take a
‘risk assessment’ of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke to help them
diagnose.
BLOOD TEST- a blood test done by finger prick most times or a venipuncture will be
taken to assess the individuals cholesterol levels to see further if CHD is a
possibility. The patient is asked to not eat for 12 hours so the food in the body will
not affect the result. Along with this blood test, the GP will take into account your
lifestyle, if you exercise and if you smoke to help diagnose CHD.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM- this is a test that checks the heart's rhythm and electrical
activity. Sensors are attached to the skin to detect electrical signals produced by
your heart each time it beats. These signals are then recorded onto a machine and
checked over by a doctor to make sure they are regular.
EXERCISE STRESS TEST- This is a type of specially designed function test to
diagnose CHD. It assesses and measures the heart's ability in responding to
external stress and is controlled in a clinical environment. The stress response is
simulated through getting the patient to exercise (such as on a treadmill) and the
patient is hooked up to an EKG machine to assess the heart's function during this
test. This is a very common form of investigation used to diagnose CHD.
2
