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complex field shows that the various diagnostic procedures can be
classified into three groups: subjective symptoms; physical signs; la-
boratory and instrumental tests. The first group concerns itself with a
careful and detailed interviewing and history taking. The second is
studied by complete and thorough physical examination. The tech-
nique of this and its diagnostic value will comprise the important part
of this manual. The third consists of the various and ever-increasing
number of laboratory procedures which aid in evaluating the facts ob-
tained from the history and physical examination.
To make a diagnose and get an objective assessment of how well
or how badly a patient is responding to treatment, medical practition-
ers have a range of tests to make measurements. Readings of the four
standard vital signs – temperature, heart rate (pulse), blood pressure,
and respiratory rate are known to be the most common. The only
equipment needed to take these is a thermometer, a blood pressure
cuff, and a watch. Vital signs have their limitations in detecting im-
portant changes in the body, and stable vital signs do not necessarily
mean that life is not in danger
Tests are generally one of six types:
1.
Monitoring of body functions
, which includes the vital signs
and bowel and bladder habits, growth, movement, responsiveness, and
the electrical activity of the heart and brain. a) A stethoscope is known
to be used to hear the sound of blood rushing back through the artery
or to take blood pressure. The device for taking blood pressure is
known to be composed of a sphygmomanometer (which consists of a
gauge, a cuff, a valve and a pump) and a stethoscope (which consists
of ear pieces, head pieces, a bell and a diaphragm). The first thumping
sound is the systolic blood pressure (SBP). When the thumping sound
is no longer heard, that’s the diastolic blood pressure (DBP). b) An
electrocardiogram (ECG) is a tracing, or drawing, produced by an
electrocardiograph – a device which records electrical activity in the
heart. An ECG can be used for:
– deciding if the heart is performing normally or suffering from ab-
normalities, for example cardiac arrhythmia – extra or skipped
heart beats
– indicating damage to heart muscle, such as heart attacks, or is-
chaemia of heart muscle (angina)