LABORATORY and

DIAGNOSTICS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
 D-xylose Absorption Test
 Monosaccharides absorbed in the small intestines
 Used to assess malabsorption
 Procedure:
› NPO 10-12 hours
› Bld. And 1st Urine is collected after 2 hrs.
› Administer D-xylose in water
 FECAL ANALYSIS
 Aids in evaluation of the digestive efficiency and
integrity of the stomach and intestines
 PROCEDURE:
› High fiber diet, no red meats, no iron
› Gross exam of stool color, consistency, odor and
others
› Microscopic, chemical and bacterial analysis
 RESULTS:
 (+) blood = hemorrhoids
 (+) black, tarry stool = Upper GI bleeding
 (+) large, bulky, foul smelling that floats = fat
malabsorption
 (+) diarrhea = rapid transit of food in the stomach
 (+) Pus/mucus in the stool = infection on the
lining of the GIT
 FECAL OCCULT BLOOD
TEST
 Used to determine GI bleeding
 Aka GUAIAC Exam
 PROCEDURE:
› No red meats, raw fruits, vegetables, aspirin and
NSAIDS for 3 days prior to the test
› Stool specimen
› Wooden applicator is used to apply the stool to one
side of the GUAIAC
 STOOL EXAM FOR OVA and
PARASITES
 To determine intestinal infections caused by
parasites
 PROCEDURE:
› Client should avoid Tx 7 days before the test
› Collect stools directly into the container
› Should be sent to the laboratory w/in 30 mins.
 STOOL CULTURE
 Identify the pathogen causing GI disease
 PROCEDURE:
› Stools should be collected in 3 consecutive days
› Done by rectal swabbing
› Send ASAP to the Laboratory
 FECAL LIPIDS
 Used to assess for steatorrhea
 PROCEDURE:
› Client abstains from alcohol and consume high fat
diet 100mg/day for 3 days before and during
› Put in non-waxy container and keep refrigerated
 GASTRIC ANALYSIS
 Used to measure HCL and PEPSIN secretion in
the stomach
 PROCEDURE:
› NPO 12 hrs.
› NGT
› Remove all contents left in the stomach
› No cholinergics, H2 Blockers or Antacids
 BERNSTEIN TEST
 Used to determine if pt’s chest pain is related to
acid perfusion
 Aka Acid perfusion test
 PROCEDURE:
› NPO post midnight or 6-8 hrs
› NGT gastric content aspirated
› Alternately instill 0.9% NSS and 0.1% NCL
› (-) pain = NORMAL
 BARRIUM SWALLOW
 Used to visualize the esophagus, stomach,
duodenum and Jejonum
 PRE-PROCEDURE
› NPO 6-8 hrs.
› Tell pt. that Barrium will have a chalky taste and have
a thick consistency
› Procedure will be approximately 45 mins.
 POST-PROCEDURE:
› Administer Laxatives
› White stool will return to NORMAL in 72 hrs.
 BARRIUM ENEMA
 Used to visualize the colon
 PRE-PROCEDURE:
› Low residue diet, continue for 2 days
› Administer laxatives
› Do cleansing enema in the morning
 POST PROCEDURE
› Tell pt that white stool will return to NORMAL in 72
hrs.
 ENDOSCOPY
 Direct visualization of the G.I system by use of a
flexible, lighted tube
 EGD
 Endoscopic examination of the lining of the
Esophagus, stomach up to the duodenum
 PRE-PROCEDURE
› Written consent
› NPO 8-12 hrs.
› Ax Oral cavity, report any loose teeth or lesions
› Breath thru the nose
› Remove dentures
› Keep room dark and cool
› Pt. will not be able to talk till endoscope is placed
 EGD
 POST-PROCEDURE
› Left Lateral position
› NPO 2-4 hrs. until (+) gag reflex
› Ax for esophageal perforation
 PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY
 Endoscopic examination of the lining of the
distal sigmoid colon, rectum and anal canal
 PRE-PROCEDURE
› L lateral, Knee chest position
› Add draping
› (+) abd’l pain while inserting the instrument
› Consent
 PROCTOSIGMOIDOSCOPY
 POST PROCEDURE
› Observe Sx of bowel perforation
› Hot Sitz bath
› Supine position
 COLONOSCOPY
 Visual exam of lining of the large intestine using
flexible fiber optiv endoscope
 PRE-PROCEDURE
› Sedate the pt.
› L side lying, knee flex
 POST-PROCEDURE
› Monitor for Sx of bowel perforation
THE END…
For now……… >:)