Although sputum is the most common diagnostic specimen to detect pneumonia, there are still many other respiratory specimens that could be utilised (van’t Wout, 1989), such as a pleural fluid culture. Pleural fluid is taken from a space between two layers of the lung, referred to as the pleural. This fluid is removed via a procedure called thoracentesis. This technique is applied to understand the reason for fluid build-up within the chest cavity, thus, can aid in the diagnosis of pneumonia.
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) may also be used to assist in the diagnosis of pneumonia (Scholte, 2014). BAL removes fluid from a part of the lungs and helps identify any respiratory pathogens within the respiratory tract.
Secretions from the bronchi …show more content…
It is also used to identify which particular pathogen is causing the infection.
2. Non-culture tests available to clinician
A clinician may examine the breathing of the individual with a stethoscope. Wheezing noises while the patient is breathing indicates to the clinician that an infection is present within the lungs. When the infection is recognised, imaging, such as x-rays, of the lung takes place to understand the cause of the infection. The x-ray is conducted to give insight into the organism species that is potentially causing the infection.
A chest computed tomography (CT) scan may also be performed by the clinician. A CT scan is capable of showing much more detail than a typical x-ray, furthermore can confirm irregularities that were present on the x-ray.
Blood oxygen levels can also be measured by clinicians with a finger clip. This test is referred to as pulse oximetry. If an individual has pneumonia, it is very difficult for their lungs to oxygenate the bloodstream (transfer oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream).
3. Methods/equipment available to the laboratory to help identify potential
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) may also be used to assist in the diagnosis of pneumonia (Scholte, 2014). BAL removes fluid from a part of the lungs and helps identify any respiratory pathogens within the respiratory tract.
Secretions from the bronchi …show more content…
It is also used to identify which particular pathogen is causing the infection.
2. Non-culture tests available to clinician
A clinician may examine the breathing of the individual with a stethoscope. Wheezing noises while the patient is breathing indicates to the clinician that an infection is present within the lungs. When the infection is recognised, imaging, such as x-rays, of the lung takes place to understand the cause of the infection. The x-ray is conducted to give insight into the organism species that is potentially causing the infection.
A chest computed tomography (CT) scan may also be performed by the clinician. A CT scan is capable of showing much more detail than a typical x-ray, furthermore can confirm irregularities that were present on the x-ray.
Blood oxygen levels can also be measured by clinicians with a finger clip. This test is referred to as pulse oximetry. If an individual has pneumonia, it is very difficult for their lungs to oxygenate the bloodstream (transfer oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream).
3. Methods/equipment available to the laboratory to help identify potential