Overview of Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic tests are used to detect, confirm, or rule out the presence of a disease or medical condition. They can be used to screen for certain conditions in people who are at increased risk; to evaluate the effects of treatment; or to monitor disease progression.
There are a number of different types of diagnostic tests. Common tests and procedures include the following:
- Allergy testing
- Blood pressure measurement
- Blood tests
- Bone, joint and muscle tests
- Brain and nerve tests
- Biopsy (surgical removal of a tissue sample for microscopic evaluation; e.g., breast biopsy, prostate biopsy)
- Cancer tests
- Digestive system tests (e.g., endoscopic procedures such as
- Heart (cardiac) tests (e.g., electrocardiogram, stress tests)
- Ear, nose and throat tests
- Genetic tests
- Gynecological tests
- Lung and breathing tests
- Nuclear medicine (e.g., bone scan, positron emission tomography [PET scan])
- Skin tests
- Thyroid tests
- Urinary system tests (e,g., cystoscopy)
- Vision tests
- X-rays and scans (imaging tests), including x-rays, CT scan, MRI scan, ultrasound)
