Medical Tests

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Wound Culture

Category: Microbes and parasites. Subcategory: Cultures for bacteria and viruses. Material studied: Exudate from an infected wound. Estimated cost of test: $11.00. Patient time for test: 3-5 minutes. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Identifies whether a wound is infected. Where is test performed?...

Whole-Blood Clotting Time & Clot-Retraction Time (Lee-White Coagulation Time; Coagulation Time; Venous Clotting Time)

Category: Hemostasis. Subcategory: Coagulation tests. Material studied: Blood. Estimated cost of test: $10.00. Patient time for test: 5-10 minutes. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. Note: Blood-clotting time is based on the number and activity of platelets, fibrinogen, intrinsic-factor levels and hematocrit. Test measures time for...

White-Blood-Cell Differential

Category: Hematology. Subcategory: White-blood-cell tests. Material studied: Blood. Estimated cost of test: $7.50. Patient time for test: 5-10 minutes. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Evaluates body's capacity to resist and overcome infection. Detects and identifies various types of leukemia....

White-Blood-Cell Count (Leukocyte Count; WBC Count)

Category: Hematology. Subcategory: White-blood-cell tests. Material studied: Blood. Estimated cost of test: $5.50. Patient time for test: 5-10 minutes. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Suggests presence of infection or inflammation. Determines need for further tests, such as the white-blood-cell...

Vitamin C

Purpose of test: Detects Vitamin-C deficiency. Material studied: Coating on tongue. Approximate cost: $10.00. Brand names: C-Stix. Vitamin-C Self-Test Kit. Description and instructions: Carefully read all the material enclosed with the home test kit before you attempt to perform the test. Follow manufacturer's instructions. Note: If you have any questions about...

Visual-Acuity Tests

Category: Eye. Subcategory: Subjective tests. Estimated cost of test: Usually no charge when part of routine eye examination. Patient time for test: 5-10 minutes. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? Yes. Note: If you wear glasses or contact lenses, bring them to the examination. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Evaluates distant and near...

Vertebral Radiography

Category: Skeletal system. Subcategory: Radiography and nuclear medicine. Material studied: X-rays of spine. Estimated cost of test: $150.00 to $200.00 for complete back survey. Patient time for test: 15-30 minutes. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Detects fractures, deformities and dislocations in...

Vectorcardiography (VCG)

Category: Cardiovascular system. Subcategory: Graphic recording. Material studied: Graphic recordings of electrical potential generated by the heart. Estimated cost of test: $50.00 to $200.00. Patient time for test: 15-20 minutes. Reliability of test results: Good. Other tests, studies and clinical observations are necessary to establish a precise diagnosis....

VDRL Test (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test)

Category: Immune response. Subcategory: Syphilis tests. Material studied: Blood. Estimated cost of test: $6.00. Patient time for test: 5-10 minutes. Reliability of test results: Reliability, good; specificity, fair. Available as home self-test? No. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Screens for syphilis in its primary and secondary stages. Confirms primary or...

Urogenital-Secretion Examination for Trichomonads

Category: Microbes and parasites. Subcategory: Tests for ova and parasites. Material studied: Women - mucus from the cervix. Men - discharge from the penis. Estimated cost of test: $35.00. Patient time for test: 10-15 minutes. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Confirms trichomoniasis, a frequent...

Urine Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Category: Vitamins and minerals. Subcategory: Vitamins. Material studied: Urine. Estimated cost of test: $30.00 to $50.00. Patient time for test: 24+ hours. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Helps confirm vitamin-B1 deficiency (beri-beri). Helps distinguish vitamin-B1 deficiency from other causes of...

Urine Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA)

Category: Urine hormones and metabolites. Subcategory: Urine metabolites. Material studied: Urine. Estimated cost of test: $37.00. Patient time for test: 24+ hours. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. Note: Test evaluates hormonal secretion. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Helps detect pheochromocytoma, tumors and some disorders of...

Urine Urobilinogen

Category: Urine proteins, protein metabolites and pigments. Subcategory: Pigments. Material studied: Urine. Estimated cost of test: $5.00. Patient time for test: From 2-3 minutes to 2-3 hours, depending on test. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? Yes, as Bili-Labstix and N-Multistix. Note: Test helps assess liver and biliary-tract...

Urine Uric Acid

Category: Urine proteins, protein metabolites and pigments. Subcategory: Protein metabolites. Material studied: Urine. Estimated cost of test: $5.00. Patient time for test: 24+ hours. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Detects enzyme deficiencies and certain metabolic abnormalities, such as gout or...

Urine Sodium & Chloride

Category: Vitamins and minerals. Subcategory: Minerals. Material studied: Urine. Estimated cost of test: $5.00. Patient time for test: 24+ hours. Reliability of test results: Good. Available as home self-test? No. Note: Test helps determine the balance of salt and water in the body. BEFORE THE TEST Purpose of test: Evaluates suspected abnormalities in fluid and...