Assessment Tools and Diagnostic Tests in Adults and Children - Essay Sample

Introduction

Diagnostic tests aim at collecting clinical data to establish medical decisions such as mammograms. Nurses should embrace best practices by performing numerous tests and using assessment tools to provide quality care. This paper describes the mammogram, its purpose, how it is conducted, and the information gathered by the assessment tool. Likewise, it will respond to the reliability, validity, and evaluate issues such as reliability, sensitivity, and predictive values.

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Description of Mammogram

A mammogram is a procedure of utilizing low-energy X-rays to test the human breast for screening and diagnosis for women above 40. It aims to detect early signs of breast cancer by detecting distinctive microcalcification or masses (Ball et al., 2018). Thus, mammogram helps in the reduction of breast cancer mortality rates

Purpose of Mammogram

Nurses administer screening mammograms to detect breast cancer amid women with no apparent symptoms or display suspicious results. According to the center for disease control and prevention (2018), diagnostic mammograms are utilized in the breast examination to observe any development, the causes of pain, discharge, tenderness, and tissue density. Besides, diagnostic mammograms provide a more detailed breast x-ray as they utilize a more advanced examination technique. The x-ray images enable the detection of tumors that cannot be recognized through physical examinations. Thus, mammograms can easily detect variations in the breasts.

How mammogram is conducted

The individuals face the x-ray machine appropriate for only breast images. According to the center for disease control and prevention (2018), the technologist performing the examinations places the breast on a transparent plastic plate and also firmly places another plate above the breasts to flatten them. The x-ray will take images on the structure of the breasts. Besides, the patient may feel some pressure or discomfort when undergoing these procedures. The technologists repeat the same processes on the other breasts to examine any formation of masses. For individuals with breast implants, the technologist may require more pictures for proper viewing. After the x-ray, the patient waits for the diagnostic outcomes. It is vital to acknowledge that the patients’ mammogram may appear different as they are a little dissimilar.

Information Gathered By Mammogram

According to the National Cancer Institute (2016), screening mammograms typically entails two or more breast x-ray images. The x-ray pictures enable the detection of tumors uneasily detectable through physical examination. Also, screening mammograms can help in the discovery of microcalcifications that occasionally display the presence of breast cancer. The information collected during the diagnostic mammogram enables breast cancer examination if the images show signs of a lump or related symptom of the diseases (Tsuruda et al., 2019). The information gathered helps assess modification discovered during a screening mammogram due to the unique conditions such as breast implants’ indications.

Validity and Reliability of Mammogram

Reliability and validity tests help in the evaluation of the accuracy and effectiveness of diagnostic mammograms. Validity identifies the mammogram accuracy and is based on the precision of screening results. Reliability depends on the overall percentage agreement.

Issues with Reliability, Validity, and Predictive Values

False negatives are one of the issues associated with the reliability of mamograms. Women with dense breasts may get false-negative results. According to the National Cancer Institute (2016), false-negative mammograms can provide women with a false sense of confidence, making them think they have no breast cancer-related diseases.

Also, the sensitivity of mammograms is approximately 90% hence a probability of about 10% can display the possibility of an undetected small tumor (Tsuruda et al., 2019). Women with the ages of 50 years have higher sensitivity than younger females. Besides, it is higher in women with It is lower in women with dense breasts. Thus, these issues in the inaccuracies lead to anxiety in individuals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mammogram aims at minimizing mortalities associated with breast cancer and enhance the quality of care for women. Mammograms can detect early symptoms of breast cancer. Healthcare providers should ensure the validity and reliability of the tests by observing inaccurate values in the mammogram.

References

Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2018). Seidel’s Guide to Physical Examination: An Interprofessional Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (September 14, 2020). What Is a Mammogram? https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm

National Cancer Institute. (December 7, 2016). Mammograms. https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/mammograms-fact-sheet

Tsuruda, K. M., Sagstad, S., Sebuødegård, S., & Hofvind, S. (2018). Validity and reliability of Self-reported health indicators among women attending organized mammographic screening. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 46(7), 744-751. doi: 10.1177/1403494817749393.