Diagnostic Tests & Procedures
A radiograph test that uses a contrast agent (dye) and a camera to take pictures of the blood flow in arteries or veins.
angiogram
The transfer of blood, or blood components such as red blood cells, from a donor to a recipient (Figure 6.29).
blood transfusion
Medication used to prevent or alleviate angina (spasmodic chest pain).
antianginal
AV
atrioventricular
Disorder involving a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin
anemia
Process of listening to the internal sounds of the body using a stethoscope (Figure 6.24).
auscultation
The replacement of diseased bone-marrow cells in a patient with healthy bone-marrow cells from a donor (Figure 6.30).
bone marrow transplant
An agent used to alleviate or prevent cardiac arrhythmia.
antiarrhythmic
BP
blood pressure
Disorder in which the bone marrow does not produce enough new red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets.
aplastic anemia
The pressure exerted by the blood on the wall of an artery or vein. Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer (SFIG-moh-muh-NAH-muh-tur).
blood pressure (BP)
Procedure in which controlled electrical shocks are sent through the heart to restore normal cardiac rhythm in a patient with arrhythmia.
cardioversion
An agent used to prevent the formation of blood clots. Also known as a blood thinner.
anticoagulant
bpm
beats per minute
Disorder marked by excessive destruction of RBCs.
hemolytic anemia
Passage of a tiny plastic tube into the heart through a blood vessel, usually through the femoral artery in the leg; used to diagnose heart diseases or abnormalities (Figure 6.25).
cardiac catheterization
A surgical procedure that removes plaque from the lining of an artery.
endarterectomy
Medication used to counteract high blood pressure.
antihypertensive
BW
bloodwork
Condition in which the body does not have enough red blood cells due to lack of iron, which is a mineral essential for hemoglobin production.
iron-deficient anemia
A record of the electrical activity of the heart (Figure 6.26).
electrocardiogram
The grafting of a living heart to a patient, from a donor who was clinically brain-dead but on life support.
heart transplant
A drug used to dilate (widen) arteries and reduce blood pressure, making it easier for the heart to pump blood.
calcium channel blocker
CABG
coronary artery bypass graph
Disorder in which the body does not manufacture enough RBCs due to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
pernicious anemia