The Digestive System Diagnostic Procedures

Question 1

Alanine Transaminase (ALT)

Answer 1

Enzyme normally present in the blood. Blood levels are increased in persons with liver disease

Question 2

Aspartate Transaminase (AST)

Answer 2

Enzyme normally present in the blood. Blood levels are increased in persons with liver disease

Question 3

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

Answer 3

Laboratory test on the feces to determine if microscopic amounts of blood are present. Also called ‘hemoccult’ or ‘stool guaiac.’

Question 4

Ova and Parasites (O and P)

Answer 4

Laboratory examination of feces with a microscope for the presence of parasites or their eggs

Question 5

Serum Bilirubin

Answer 5

Blood test to determine the amount of the waste product bilirubin in the bloodstream. Elevated levels indicate liver disease

Question 6

Stool Colture

Answer 6

Laboratory test of feces to determine if any pathogenic bacteria are present

Question 7

Bite-Wing X-ray

Answer 7

X-ray taken with a part of the film holder held between the teeth and parallel to the teeth

Question 8

Cholecystogram

Answer 8

X-ray image of the gallbladder

Question 9

Intravenous Cholecystography

Answer 9

Dye is administered intravenously to the patient allowing for X-ray visualization of the gallbladder and bile ducts

Question 10

Lower Gastrointestinal Series (lower GI series)

Answer 10

X-ray image of the colon and rectum is taken after the administration of barium (a radiopaque dye) by enema. Also called ‘a barium enema (BE).’

Question 11

Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC)

Answer 11

Procedure in which contrast medium is injected directly into the liver to visualize the bile ducts. Used to detect obstructions such as gallstones in the common bile duct

Question 12

Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) Series

Answer 12

Patient is administered a barium contrast material orally and then X-rays are taken to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Also called a ‘barium swallow.’

Question 13

Colonoscope

Answer 13

Instrument used to view the colon

Question 14

Colonoscopy

Answer 14

Flexible fiberscope called a ‘colonoscope’ is passed through the anus, rectum, and colon; used to examine the upper portion of the colon. Polyps and small growths can be removed during this procedure

Question 15

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Answer 15

Procedure using an endoscope to visually examine the hepatic duct, common bile duct, and pancreatic duct. First an endoscope is passed through the patient’s mouth, esophagus, and stomach until it reaches the duodenum where the pancreatic and common bile ducts empty. Then a thin catheter is passed through the endoscope and into the ducts (in the retrograde direction). Contrast dye is then used to visualize these ducts on an X-ray

Question 16

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Answer 16

Use of a flexible fiberoptic endoscope to visually examine the esophagus, stomach, and beginning of the duodenum

Question 17

Gastroscope

Answer 17

Instrument used to view inside the stomach

Question 18

Gastroscopy

Answer 18

Procedure in which a flexible ‘gastroscope’ is passed through the mouth and down the esophagus in order to visualize inside the stomach. Used to diagnose peptic ulcers and gastric carcinoma

Question 19

Laparoscope

Answer 19

Instrument used to view inside the abdomen

Question 20

Laparosocopy

Answer 20

‘Laparoscope’ is passed into the abdominal wall through a small incision. The abdominal cavity is then visually examined for tumors and other conditions with this lighted instrument. Also called ‘peritoneoscopy.’

Question 21

Sigmoidoscope

Answer 21

Instrument used to view inside the sigmoid colon

Question 22

Sigmoidoscopy

Answer 22

Procedure using a flexible ‘sigmoidoscope’ to visually examine the sigmoid colon. Commonly done to diagnose cancer and polyps

Question 23

Paracentesis

Answer 23

Insertion of a needle into the abdominal cavity to withdraw fluid. Tests to diagnose diseases may be conducted on the fluid