Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
Laboratory Tests
A laboratory test is a procedure in which a sample of blood, urine, other bodily fluids or tissue is examined to get information about a person’s health. Some laboratory tests provide precise and reliable information about specific health problems. Other tests provide more general information that helps doctors identify or rule out possible health problems. Doctors often use other types of tests, such as imaging tests, in addition to laboratory tests to learn more about a person’s health. Some of the most common tests are listed below.
- Ambulatory ccid (pH) probe test
- Antinuclear antibody test
- Arterial blood gas test
- Biopsy
- Blood Tests
- C-Reactive protein test
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate test
- Genetic Testing
- Throat Culture
- Urinalysis
Do you have a question? Request more information and we will connect you with an RWJBarnabas Health cardiovascular expert.
Ambulatory Acid (pH) Probe Test:
A pH probe test helps your doctor diagnose and treat gastroesophageal acid reflux (GERD). Doing so by measuring the amount and seriousness of acid juices backing up into your esophagus, the tube in the neck that food passes through on its way to the stomach.
During this test, a very thin probe will be passed through the nose and into the esophagus. An X-ray will help make sure the probe is in the right place. The probe is connected to a small monitor that will record acid levels over a 24-hour period. Information from the test gives doctors detailed information about your acid reflux that cannot be learned from a physical examination or other kinds of tests.
A pH test will take place at an outpatient setting or within the hospital. The test will only take a few minutes but readings are taken over a 24-hour period. Check with your doctor for more details.
*Procedure offered at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, Monmouth Medical Center, Community Medical Center, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Antinuclear Antibody Test:
Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) are a group of autoantibodies produced by a person's immune system when it fails to adequately distinguish between "self" and "non-self." The ANA test detects these autoantibodies in the blood.The ANA test is one of the primary tests for helping to diagnose a suspected autoimmune disorder or rule out other conditions with similar signs and symptoms.
The procedure will take place at an outpatient setting or within the hospital. Check with your doctor for further details.
*Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
Arterial Blood Gas Test:
An arterial blood gas (ABG) test measures the acidity (pH) and the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood from an artery. This test is used to check how well your lungs are able to move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. By doing so, it helps diagnose certain conditions including asthma, cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
During the test, a sample of blood from an artery is drawn. Usually it is taken from the inside of the wrist (radial artery), but it can also be taken from an artery in the groin (femoral artery) or on the inside of the arm above the elbow crease (brachial artery).
An ABG test will take place at an outpatient setting or within the hospital. The test will only take a few minutes. Check with your doctor for further details.
*Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
Biopsy:
A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove tissue or cells from the body for examination under a microscope. Biopsies are performed in many areas of the body and for many reasons. Some of the most common areas include: Abdomen, bone, bone marrow, breast, kidney, liver, lung or chest, lymph node, muscle, nerve, skin and thyroid.
Removal of tissue or cells from the body can be performed in several different ways. Some biopsies involve removing a small amount of tissue with a needle while others involve surgically removing an entire lump that is suspicious.
Biopsies are most often done to look for cancer. But biopsies can help identify many other conditions such as infections and inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Biopsies may also be done to match organ tissue before a transplant and to look for signs of organ rejection following a transplant.
Some biopsies can take place in an outpatient setting (e.g. doctor’s office) or at the hospital. Lung and myocardial biopsies however only take place at a hospital. The time it takes to obtain a biopsy depends on the type of biopsy being performed. Check with your doctor for further details.
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Lung-Biopsy: A lung biopsy is a procedure in which samples of lung tissue are removed
to determine if lung disease or cancer is present. Other reasons for a
lung biopsy include but are not limited to:
- To evaluate an abnormality seen on chest X-rays or CT scans.
- To diagnose lung infection or other lung disease.
- To investigate the cause of unexplained fluid collection in the lung.
- To determine if a lung mass is cancerous or not.
- To determine the extent of the cancer spreading.
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Myocardial Biopsy: A myocardial biopsy is a procedure where a doctor takes a few small samples
of your heart muscle tissue for examination. This is done if your doctor
suspects a problem with your heart muscle. A cardiac biopsy can help your
doctor diagnose:
- Cardiac amyloidosis
- Cardiomyopathy
- Myocarditis
- Rejection after heart transplant
Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
Blood Tests:
A blood test is a lab analysis of the elements in your blood. Blood tests can give your doctor a lot of information about whether certain elements in your blood fall within a normal range. They are most commonly ordered during routine check-ups and sick visits. However, in many cases, they are only part of the information your doctor needs to make a diagnosis or monitor your health condition. Blood tests are also ordered for other reasons including but not limited to:
- Diagnose bleeding or clotting disorders.
- Diagnose how well important organs such as your kidneys, liver, heart, or thyroid are working.
- Diagnose if your immune system is having problems fighting infections.
- Diagnose if your medicine is properly working.
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Liver Function Test: Liver function tests are a type of blood tests used to diagnose and monitor
liver disease or damage. Liver function tests can also be used to:
- Measure the severity of a disease, particularly scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).
- Monitor possible side effects of medications.
- Monitor the progression of a disease, such as viral or alcoholic hepatitis, and determine how well a treatment is working.
- Screen for liver infections, such as hepatitis.
- Thyroid Function Tests: Thyroid function tests are a type of blood tests used to diagnose whether your thyroid gland is working properly. The thyroid is a small gland located in the lower-front part of your neck. It’s responsible for helping to regulate many of the body’s processes, such as metabolism, energy generation, and mood. The thyroid produces two major hormones: Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). If your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of these hormones (hypothyroidism), you may experience symptoms such as weight gain, lack of energy, and depression. If your thyroid gland produces too many hormones (hyperthyroidism), you may experience weight loss, high levels of anxiety, tremors, and a sense of being on a high.
Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
C-Reactive Protein Test:
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver. CRP levels in the blood increase when there is a condition causing inflammation somewhere in the body. A CRP test measures the amount of CRP in the blood to detect inflammation due to acute conditions or to monitor the severity of disease in chronic conditions.
The procedure will take place at an outpatient setting or within the hospital. Check with your doctor for further details.
*Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Test:
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a test used to detect the presence of inflammation caused by one or more conditions including infections, tumors, autoimmune disease; to help diagnose and monitor specific conditions such as temporal arteritis, systemic vasculitis, among others.
The test actually measures the rate of fall (sedimentation) of erythrocytes (red blood cells) in a sample of blood that has been placed into a tall, thin, vertical tube. When a sample of blood is placed in a tube, the red blood cells normally settle out relatively slowly, leaving little clear plasma. The red cells settle at a faster rate in the presence of an increased level of proteins, particularly proteins called acute phase reactants.The level of acute phase reactants such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen increases in the blood in response to inflammation.
The procedure will take place at an outpatient setting or within the hospital. Check with your doctor for further details.
Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
Genetic Testing:
Genetic testing involves examining your DNA, the chemical database that carries instructions for your body's functions. Genetic testing can reveal changes in your chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder. Genetic tests are performed on a sample of blood, hair, skin, amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy), or other tissue.
Genetic testing usually takes place in an outpatient setting (e.g. doctor’s office) or at the hospital. Genetic tests usually take less than 5 minutes to complete. Check with your doctor for further details.
Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
Throat Culture:
A throat culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that are causing an infection. Your doctor will probably order this test if you or your child complains of a sore throat and he or she thinks something other than a virus is to blame. As a part of the test, your doctor will rub a sterile cotton swab across the back of your throat, your tonsils, and any other sore areas for a few seconds. The swab will collect a sample of the secretions being produced in the back of your throat. This sample is then added to a substance that promotes the growth of germs. If no germs grow, the culture is negative. If germs that can cause infection grow, the culture is positive.
A throat culture test usually takes place in an outpatient setting (e.g. doctor’s office) or at the hospital. This type of test usually takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Check with your doctor for further details.
Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
Urinalysis:
Urinalysis is a series of tests performed on your urine as a way to detect potential illnesses or disorders. Many illnesses and disorders affect how your body removes waste and toxins. The excretory system is the one responsible for removing such substances. The excretory system includes your lungs, kidneys, urinary tract, skin, and bladder. Problems with any of these body parts can affect the appearance, concentration, and content of your urine. Overall a urinalysis provides a way to identify certain illnesses in their earlier stages, including but not limited to: Kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes and a urinary tract infection (UTI).
A urinalysis usually takes place in an outpatient setting (e.g. doctor’s office) or at the hospital. Blood tests usually take less than 5 minutes to complete. Check with your doctor for further details.
Procedure offered at all 11 of our facilities.
Do you have a question? Request more information and we will connect you with an RWJBarnabas Health cardiovascular expert.