E
INVESTIGATIONS
Recent investigations are often useful to guide diagnosis and response to treatment. These usually are either laboratory results or radiological results.
Common investigations include:
Primary Investigations
- Continuous oxygen saturation
- (SaO2) monitoring
- Peak flow rate
Secondary investigations (selected cases)
- Blood gas (capillary, venous or arterial)
- Chest X-ray
- Sputum for culture
- Throat swab
Primary Investigations
- Blood culture
- Coagulation studies
- C-reactive protein
- 3 lead ECG monitoring
- Full blood count
- Urea and electrolytes
Secondary investigations (selected cases)
- Blood gas
- Chest X-ray
- Electrolytes: Magnesium, phosphate, calcium
- Lumbar puncture
- Urinalysis (dipstick, microscopy & culture)
- Wound swab
- 12 lead ECG
Primary Investigations
- Blood culture
- Blood sugar
- Coagulation studies
- Liver function tests
- Urea and electrolyte
Secondary investigations (selected cases)
- Ammonia
- Blood gas
- Blood and urine toxicology
- CT brain scan
- EEG
- Lactate (plasma)
- Metabolic screen
- MRI brain scan
- Urine toxicology
- Urine amino and organic acids
Imaging
Look at all recent imaging. This will give you information on the patients past medical history and any recent problems. Consider what further imaging may be necessary to aid your management of this patient. See Breathing Chapter for more details on CXR interpretation.
