Discussion: Select a type of imaging or complex lab not used by another learner. Identify when it is appropriate to order this diagnostic tool. Explain the systematic approach to evaluating the results. Explain the key features you are looking for when evaluating the data. Support your answer with a minimum of two APRN peer-reviewed resources

Discussion: Select a type of imaging or complex lab not used by another learner. Identify when it is appropriate to order this diagnostic tool. Explain the systematic approach to evaluating the results. Explain the key features you are looking for when evaluating the data. Support your answer with a minimum of two APRN peer-reviewed resources

Discussion: Select a type of imaging or complex lab not used by another learner. Identify when it is appropriate to order this diagnostic tool. Explain the systematic approach to evaluating the results. Explain the key features you are looking for when evaluating the data. Support your answer with a minimum of two APRN peer-reviewed resources

A computed tomography (CT) scan is an X-ray study performed in a special room, usually in the radiology department. It is usually performed after other diagnostic procedures and provides information about tumors, abscesses, cysts, other masses, and obstruction (Withers et al., 2021). The advantage of CT scans over plain films is that they provide detailed information about a specified body organ in cross-section. This eliminates the superimposition of images and provides excellent clinicopathological correlation for suspected disease

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE ON; Discussion: Select a type of imaging or complex lab not used by another learner. Identify when it is appropriate to order this diagnostic tool. Explain the systematic approach to evaluating the results. Explain the key features you are looking for when evaluating the data. Support your answer with a minimum of two APRN peer-reviewed resources

A CT scan should be ordered to help the clinician diagnose, narrow the differential diagnosis, and confirm the suspected diagnosis. It is also used for cancer screening, staging, and follow-up. Besides, it assists in performing biopsies adequately and during surgical procedures (Withers et al., 2021). Generally, CT scans require a contrast agent injected IV. The contrast improves the visibility of structures such as tumors, blood vessels, and heart chambers, which helps in making a diagnosis.

           The first step in evaluating the results of a CT scan is to assess normal anatomical structures, such as the brain’s normal tissue, in a head CT scan. The second step is to examine the film for signs of underlying pathology. For example, in a head CT scan, the clinician should assess for pathology like mass effect, midline shift, edema, hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, subdural or epidural collection/hematoma, or infarction (Al-Sharify et al., 2020). The next step in evaluating head CT scan results is to examine sinuses and osseous structures with bone windows. The fourth step involves using a soft tissue window to examine extracranial anatomy like the face, orbits, and scalp (Al-Sharify et al., 2020). One should look for key features in a head CT scan film, including soft tissue windowing indicating scalp swelling, cerebellar infarct that point to stroke, hemorrhage, brain masses, and edema.

References

Al-Sharify, Z. T., Al-Sharify, T. A., & Al-Sharify, N. T. (2020, June). A critical review on medical imaging techniques (CT and PET scans) in the medical field. In IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 870, No. 1, p. 012043). IOP Publishing. doi:10.1088/1757-899X/870/1/012043

Withers, P. J., Bouman, C., Carmignato, S., Cnudde, V., Grimaldi, D., Hagen, C. K., … Stock, S. R. (2021). X-ray Computed Tomography. Nature Reviews Methods Primers, 1(1). doi:10.1038/s43586-021-00015-4 

please answer discussion question below minimum 250 words

Select a type of imaging or complex lab not used by another learner. Identify when it is appropriate to order this diagnostic tool. Explain the systematic approach to evaluating the results. Explain key features you are looking for when evaluating the data. Support your answer with a minimum of two APRN peer-reviewed resources.