Diagnostics: An A-To-Z Nursing Guide to Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures

Rating:
Summary: Diagnostic Tests by SPRINGHOUSE
Review: This is an excellent reference guide on the rationale and
specific details of diagnostic medical tests both simple and
complex. The authors provide an extensive forward, a discussion
of collection techniques and precautions. For instance, the
bone marrow aspiration and biopsy is a moderately complicated
procedure aimed at diagnosing leukemias, granulomas, pernicious
anemia, primary and metastatic tumors, the staging of Hodgkin's
disease and evaluation of chemotherapy effectiveness. The
procedure is contraindicated in patients with severe bleeding
disorders. Yellow marrow contains fat cells and connective
tissue; whereas, red marrow contains hematopoiec cells, fat cells
and connective tissue. A detailed Histology of the bone marrow
specimen may detect myelofibrosis, granulomas, lymphomas or
cancer. A hemotology blood and bone marrow report is generated
by the blood laboratory. It shows details of the cell type
and applicable levels of myeloblasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes, metamyelocytes, polymorphs, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes,
monocytes, plasma cells, pronormoblasts, basophilic normoblasts,
polychrom-Normoblasts, Orthochrom. Normoblasts and Reticulum
cellular structures. A diagnostician's detailed interpretation
usually follows the detailed description of cellular types.
The SPRINGHOUSE work explains the various procedures and
benefits of doing a plethora of diagnostic tests. This work
is invaluable in helping the patient understand the procedure
and its implications, benefits and contraindications. The
information content in this book can help the patient
immeasurably in formulating intelligent questions to pose
to the medical provider on a continuing basis. This book is
worth the price for all of the above reasons. It is a worthy
addition to any personal medical reference library.