Introduction
According to modern medical research, the prevailing diagnostic tests that are commonly used are considered to be one of the regulated activities that are solely carried out by nurses or medical professionals. Despite that, the truth is that the medical assessment and evaluation of a patient is something occurs as a result of seeking further investigations that can be aid as the fundamental element in nursing exercise (Trigg et al., 2010). Although there are various studies that have been conducted for the purpose investigating the significance of the prevailing diagnostic tests, it is the responsibility of the medical professionals, parents, and caregivers to ensure that they have chronologically and critically appraised the evidences obtained from such studies. The reason for that is because it is the one that will have the possibility of ensuring the proper use of the best diagnostic tests (Shung et al., 2014).
On the other hand, what this implies is the fact that the general usage of the diagnostic tests, particularly X-rays, will have to be appraised through the use various criteria that are aimed at investing the perceived therapeutic or preventive measures. As a result of that, it will be important to take into consideration its sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values that come as a result of using them. Taking that into consideration implies that it is the one that will aid in determining whether it will assist in alleviating the condition of the patient. The various X-ray diagnostic tests that are carried out are aimed at removing uncertainty and anxiety in a patient (Swain et al., 2009). In this assignment, the use of X-rays will be evaluated for determining its effectiveness in the curing or managing various patient ailments.
A description of how the assessment tool or diagnostic test you were assigned is used in healthcare what is its purpose?
According to modern clinical researches, X-rays are used by medical professional to create a visual representation of the internal human organs. The reason as to why such a diagnostic test is carried out is to assist medical professionals to carry out medical analysis and other associated clinical interventions. The same procedure will have to be conducted by clinicians so as to have a clear visual representation of the internal functioning of various organs or tissues. This is to imply that the aim of such a procedure is to assist in revealing internal human structures that are hidden by bines and the skin and also to aid in diagnosing and administering treatment (Nadine & Andrew, 2010).
On the other hand, the use of such medical imaging is also aimed at establishing a clinical database of physiology and normal anatomy so as to enable the medical professionals to have the potential of identifying the patient’s abnormalities. It should be understood that although the use of this medical imaging for removed tissues or organs can also be conducted for various clinical reasons, those clinical procedures are regarded as being part of pathology. In conducting such procedure, it will also have to take into account the progress of other associated conditions of the patient, for instance, breathing difficulties, wheezing, or coughing (Trigg et al., 2010).
How is it conducted?
X-rays, as one of the medical imaging tests is conducted so as to enable the doctors to have the potential of viewing the physiology of the human internal organs or tissues. That in return assist in creating a clear picture of all the structures as well as the activities they undertake inside the human body. Ideally, in order to carry it out, once the patient have been prepared in to undergo such a procedure, the medical professional will have to ensure that he or she has instructed the patient on how to position his body so as to create clear internal body images. During such a procedure, the patient will be supplied with comfortable and loose clothing to wear (Kennedy et al., 2014). Moreover, the patient can either be required to stand, sit, or lie down in the process of imaging his or her internal organs. For instance, the physician can take the image of the patient while standing in front of a specialized plate containing X-ray sensors or film. Equally, the patient can instructed to sit or lie on a specialized plate before moving a camera fixed to a steel arm so as to capture his or her X-ray images. To capture clear images, the patient will have to be reminded to stay still (Aichinger et al., 2004).
What information does it gather?
In the modern medical world, X-rays as one of the medical imaging techniques are used for the purpose of assisting in diagnosing and treating various ailments without inducing harmful side effect to a patient. This then implies that X-rays ultimately remains to be one of the important means of understanding the physiology of the internal organs of the patient without the need of invasive procedures or surgery (Nadine & Andrew, 2010). Ideally, X-rays are carried out to aid in examining an area where the patient might be experiencing discomfort or pain. It is also taken for monitoring the progression of any diagnosed ailment as well as checking how the treatment administered is working. The most common usage of X-rays involves checking broken bones, spotting pneumonia, tooth decay, digestive problems, and so on (Patrick, 2016).
Based on your research, evaluate the test or the tool’s validity and reliability, and explain any issues with sensitivity, reliability, and predictive values
As much as the use of X-rays in medical field is concerned, what have to be taken into consideration is its dependably in diagnosing the perceived ailment or disorder. What this implies entails determining whether the patient will have the propensity of receiving the same results after being subjected to subsequent procedures. In the process of subjecting the patient to such a procedure, it is, therefore, important for parents or guardians to understand that he or she can experience some discomfort or pain. In order for the doctor to take accurate internal images concerning the physiology of the organs, it is important to stick to the instructions given before the exercise is undertaken. To improve its functionality the doctor can also provide the patient with painkiller beforehand (Aichinger et al., 2004).
In accordance to that, the X-ray test performance is also influenced by the patient’s physical or psychological state during the time of testing. Fatigue, motivation, and the patient’s levels of anxiety also have the ability of impacting the test result to be collected. What that implies is the fact that the predictive values being obtained will ultimately rely on the judgment of the rater or the doctor. Basically, random errors of measurements are what will enable the doctor to collect accurate measurement hence improving the sensitivity and the reliability of the tests carried out. Because of that, it because possible to produce repeatable, consistent, and dependable results concerning the ailment of the patient (Shung et al., 2014).
References
Aichinger, H., Dierker, J., Joite-Barfuß, S., & Säbel, M. (2004). Radiation Exposure and Image Quality in X-Ray Diagnostic Radiology: Physical Principles and Clinical Applications.
In Trigg, E., In Mohammed, T., In Ford, L., In Montgomery, H., & In Vidler, V. (2010). Practices in Children's Nursing E-Book. Churchill Livingstone Press
Kennedy-Malone, L., Fletcher, K. R., & Plank, L. M. (2014). Advanced practice nursing in the care of older adults. Philadelphia : F.A. Davis Company
Nadine, B.S & Andrew, W. (2010). Introduction to Medical Imaging: Physics, Engineering and Clinical Applications: Cambridge Texts in Biomedical Engineering. Cambridge University Press
Patrick, C.B. (2016). Radiation Protection in Diagnostic X-Ray Imaging (Book). Jones & Bartlett Publishers
Shung, K. K., Smith, M., & Tsui, B. M. W. (2014). Principles of Medical Imaging. Saint Louis: Elsevier Science.
Swain, J. M., Bush, K. W., & Brosing, J. (2009). Diagnostic imaging for physical therapists. St Louis: Saunders.
