Test, Pap
A screening test for cervical cancer based on the examination of cells under the microscope. The cells are collected from the cervix, smeared on a slide and specially stained to reveal premalignant (before cancer) and malignant (cancer) changes as well as changes due to noncancerous conditions such as inflammation from infections. Also called a Pap smear.
The Pap technique was developed by and named after George Papanicolaou (1883-1962), a Greek-born physician and scientist who moved to the U.S. In 1923, while looking at vaginal smears from women with cervical cancer, Papanicolaou saw cancer cells. After two decades of research on this subject, he reported in 1943 that both cervical and uterine cancer could be detected in their early stages with this test that has, since its inception, saved innumerable lives.
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- Test, pharmacologic stress
There are a diversity of pharmacologic stress tests. Here this refers specifically to a pharmacologic cardiac stress test in which certain medications are administered that stimulate the heart to mimic the physiologic effects of exercise. One of the medications used in a pharmacologic stress test is dobutamine, which is similar to adrenaline. Dobutamine is carefully […]
- Test, physiologic stress
Although there can be a diversity of physiologic stress tests, this refers here to a physiologic cardiac stress test in which certain medications are administered that stimulate the heart to mimic the physiologic effects of exercise. One of these medications is dobutamine, which is similar to adrenaline. Dobutamine is carefully administered to gradually increase the […]
- Test, pupil dilation
Opening the pupil wide enables an eye care professional to see more of the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. Dilating (widening) the pupil permits the retina to be examined for signs of disease. To do this, drops are placed into the eye to dilate the pupil. After dilation, […]
- Test, radionucleide stress
This procedure involves injecting a radioactive isotope (typically thallium or cardiolyte) into the patient’s vein after which an image of the patient’s heart becomes visible with a special camera. The radioactive isotopes are absorbed by the normal heart muscle. Nuclear images are obtained in the resting condition, and again immediately following exercise. The two sets […]
- Test, rapid plasma reagin
A screening blood test for syphilis. Rapid plasma reagin is commonly abbreviated RPR. A negative (“nonreactive”) RPR test result is compatible with a person not having syphilis. However, a person may have a negative RPR test and still have syphilis since, in the early stages of the disease, the RPR often gives negative results. This […]