A nuclear stress test is an intense process done to measure for potential biological effects or stress reactions that may result from a medical procedure undertaken by another doctor. The test is typically designed to provide doctors with an overall view of what to anticipate during and immediately after the process. It is basically used as an initial examination into the body's response to any potential medical intervention which will be undertaken. In the past, the tests have usually been performed on patients who are under anesthesia, usually for minor procedures.
The intramuscular method involves the injection of a medication into a small muscle. Although it seems simple, there are a number of considerations which must be taken into account before administering the radioactive substance. Intramuscular injections are not suitable for pregnant women, children or the elderly. For these reasons, nuclear medicine specialists now generally use an iv injection or a pregnancy test (IVP) to conduct scans of the abdomen and other body parts when necessary.
The most common method of nuclear medicine testing is the use of nuclear stress tests. The first step towards conducting a nuclear medicine test is the administration of a medication into a vein. In order for the medication to enter the bloodstream, it must be dissolved in the blood first. Some nuclear medicine tests can also be administered through the use of gamma cameras. These cameras are particularly useful for nuclear medicine specialists who need to perform stress tests on patients who are extremely ill or severely injured.
Another important aspect of nuclear medicine tests is the administration of a radioactive substance. In this situation, the patient is intravenously given a small amount of a radioactive substance to take home with them. The amount of radiation to be given is based on the medical history of the patient and the state of health to be assessed. The limited bone scan, urinalysis and blood tests that are usually ordered by nuclear medicine specialists can also be administered using gamma cameras.
As with all medical procedures, stress tests carry some risks. If nuclear medicine tests are performed without the proper accreditation and supervision, the patient may have a higher risk of developing cancer or receiving a fatal radiation dose. Patients undergoing any type of medical treatment are advised to follow their doctor's advice and go through any treatments as directed. This includes undertaking any stress test that has been ordered by a doctor.
Stress tests are generally ordered by medical doctors when other diagnostic tests have ruled out the presence of any disease. The results of these tests will determine what type of treatment would be best for the patient. In the case of nuclear medicine tests, the doctor will order one or more tests to see if a patient has an adverse reaction to the radioactive substance. The tests include: a bone scan, urinalysis, blood test and a gamma-ray.
The bone scan measures the density of the patient's bones. In the case of a bone marrow test, the physician will check the amount of oxygen and nutrients in the patient's red blood cells (RBC). The blood test measures the levels of hemoglobin and white blood cells. A gamma-ray is used to identify how the concentration of an element in the patient's body varies during different states. Urinalysis measures the amount of radioactivity in the urine. A blood test measures only white blood cells, while a gamma-ray can also detect diseases such as leukemia and tumors.