Diagnostic Test Interpretation

Diagnostic Test Interpretation

Diagnostics

– includes list of common laboratory and diagnostic tests used to determine the presence of the disease

– discusses the significance of test findings in relation to the disease process

– All information supported by current literature

2020-2025 scholarly articles

– in text citations and list of references

Diagnostics: Laboratory & Diagnostic Tests

1. Common Laboratory Tests

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Checks for anemia, infection, inflammation (via WBC, hemoglobin, platelets).
- Significance: Elevated WBC may suggest infection or inflammation; low hemoglobin indicates bleeding or chronic disease.
Basic or Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (BMP/CMP)
- Measures electrolytes, renal and liver function (e.g., AST/ALT, BUN, creatinine).
- Significance: Abnormal electrolytes can indicate dehydration or kidney issues; elevated liver enzymes suggest hepatic injury.
Inflammatory Markers (CRP, ESR)
- Indicate systemic inflammation.
- Significance: Helpful in monitoring flare-ups of autoimmune or infectious disease.
Disease-Specific Markers (e.g., Troponin, HbA1c, TSH)
- Troponin: myocardial injury;
- HbA1c: long-term glycemic control;
- TSH: thyroid function.

APA

Check out our Essay writing services

Diagnostic Test Interpretation

2. Diagnostic Imaging Tests

X-ray / CT / MRI / Ultrasound
- Evaluate anatomical and structural abnormalities.
- Significance: CT chest for pneumonia; MRI brain for demyelination; ultrasound for liver or gallbladder pathology.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
- Detects cardiac arrhythmias, ischemia, infarction.
Echocardiogram
- Evaluates cardiac structure and function.

3. Molecular and Microbiological Diagnostics

PCR / NAAT tests
- Detect viral or bacterial DNA/RNA—e.g., SARS-CoV-2, influenza.
- Significance: High sensitivity/specificity for infectious agents.
Blood cultures / Sensitivity testing
- Identify bloodstream pathogens and antibiotic susceptibility.

4. Interpretation & Disease Pathophysiology

Each test correlates with underlying pathophysiological processes:

Elevated troponin → myocardial necrosis
Elevated ALT/AST → hepatocellular injury
Elevated CRP/ESR → acute inflammation
Positive PCR → active infection
Echocardiogram abnormalities → structural cardiac disease

Limitations in Current Literature

Test specificity vs. sensitivity trade-offs
- Some biomarkers produce false positives/negatives depending on disease stage.
Timing of specimen collection
- Early or late sampling may yield misleading results.
Population variability
- Reference ranges may not apply universally across ethnic or age groups.
Technique and operator dependency
- Imaging accuracy depends on operator skill and equipment quality.

Conclusion

Diagnosing disease involves integrating lab, imaging, and molecular tests—and interpreting results in the context of the disease process. For accuracy, clinicians must be aware of the limitations such as variability, timing, and test performance criteria. Diagnostic strategies must be evidence-based and validated in current literature (2020–2025), which emphasizes: