Introduction
All the possible diagnostics for the patient include bronchoscopy, chest tube procedure, bronchial ultrasound, endobronchial valve therapy, and lung function test.
Lung function tests
Lung function tests would be used to examine how the lungs function. The process will entail spirometry, which measures the air volume the lungs hold and how forcefully a patient can empty air from the lungs. The test is recommended since the patient was coughing and had a fever which indicated the likelihood of a lung disorder (Thomas & Bomar, 2018). The presence of phlegm when coughing confirms the presence of pulmonary disease, making the test unsuitable since the symptom is linked to various pulmonary conditions like tuberculosis, COPD, bronchitis, and pneumonia. The main risk of this test is that the equipment may spread germs. The gold standard for accurate and repeatable measurement of lung function is the use of spirometry.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy utilizes a camera attached at the end of a flexible tube to take photos of the air passages. The test was requested since the patient was coughing and producing phlegm, a sign of bronchitis (Thomas & Bomar, 2018). Similar signs in other conditions like tuberculosis, COPD, and pneumonia make it challenging to rule out, leading to the need for advanced tests to specify the condition. National recommendations for managing pulmonary diseases provide that bronchoscopy should be undertaken in all patients with chronic coughs where the patient is suspected of inhaling foreign objects. The procedure is highly beneficial, although it may lead to low blood oxygen.
A chest tube procedure
A chest tube procedure was requested since the patient experienced pain between the lungs and the ribs. The diagnosis is used to drain fluid between the lungs and the chest. The test was required since the patient complained of lung and chest pain when coughing and produced phlegm. The test will be used to affirm or roll out the existence of pleurisy, which will be decided after analyses (Thomas & Bomar, 2018). The procedure is highly effective, although the procedure is painful and may lead to infection. National recommendations for using a chest tube call for interprofessional teams to always identify the indications of the placement of a chest tube.
Endobronchial valve therapy
Endobronchial valve therapy – this test was requested to confirm the presence of advanced emphysema and COPD since the patient has a history of the condition. The lack of swelling on the feet and ankles of the patient and the lack of signs of Weight loss and blood in the cough ruled out the presence of COPD and tuberculosis (Thomas & Bomar, 2018). The main risks of the test entail bleeding, infections, and pain. The national recommendations for this test call for care and efficiency should be maintained during the insertion of the endobronchial valve to reduce the pain and prevent bleeding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a chest X-ray– test was requested to differentiate if the patient suffered from pneumonia bronchitis. The test enables the differentiation between pneumonia and bronchitis. The main distinguishing factor to be observed through the test observation is the presence of consolidation signs or infiltration on the chest radiograph. Such evidence will rule out bronchitis and confirm the condition as pneumonia. The tests effectively diagnose lung infections, inflammation, and cancer (Thomas & Bomar, 2018). The procedure is safe, although linked to cases of complications, collapsing, bleeding, and pain. National recommendations for undertaking risk tests provide that doctors should use the lowest radiation dose possible while undertaking the test.
References
Thomas, M., & Bomar, P. A. (2018). Upper respiratory tract infection. Web.