Medical Physics: Blood Pressure Measurement

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary application of ultrasound in medicine?

To visualize internal structures (correct)

To detect radiation doses

To measure physiological effects

To correct defective vision

What is the purpose of fluoroscopy in diagnostic x-rays?

To correct defective vision

To produce x-ray beams

To visualize internal structures in real-time (correct)

To measure radiation doses

What is the unit of measurement for radioactivity?

Becquerel (correct)

Rutherford

Gray

Sievert

What is the purpose of radiation protection in radiation therapy?

To minimize exposure to ionizing radiation Signup and view all the answers

What is the application of laser light in medicine?

To treat certain medical conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of CT scans in diagnostic x-rays?

To visualize internal structures in cross-sections Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?

To visualize internal structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of instruments used in ophthalmology?

To correct defective vision Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible consequence of inaccurate measurements in medical diagnosis?

A false negative or false positive error Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a way to reduce diagnostic errors and measurement uncertainties?

Repeating the measurement Signup and view all the answers

What type of measurements are included in the routine measurements category?

Body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and body weight Signup and view all the answers

Why is calibration of instruments relative to standard or already calibrated important?

To ensure the accuracy of the measurements Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of medical measurements in diagnosis?

To determine the type of treatment Signup and view all the answers

What can affect blood pressure and pulse rate during measurement?

Psychological reasons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for requiring high accuracy in medical measurements?

To avoid risky diagnosis or treatment Signup and view all the answers

What type of measurement is pulse rate, in terms of the frequency of repetition?

Repetitive measurement Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for pressure in medicine?

Millimeter of mercury (mmHg) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common source of measurement error in medical instruments?

Device or technical error Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a non-repetitive measurement in the body?

Time of kidney function Signup and view all the answers

Why are nonstandard units used in medicine?

To define specific quantities unique to medicine Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychological Factors in Measurement

Blood pressure and pulse rate can be affected by psychological factors during measurement.

Types of Errors in Measurement

There are two types of errors:
- False negative error: when a patient is diagnosed as free of a particular disease when they actually have it.
- False positive error: when a patient is diagnosed as having a particular disease when they don't have it.

Reducing Diagnostic Errors and Measurement Uncertainties

Errors can be reduced by:
- Researching causes of misleading laboratory test values.
- Repeating measurements.
- Taking care when taking measurements.
- Developing new clinical tests.
- Improving instrumentation.
- Using reliable instruments.
- Calibrating instruments relative to standard or already calibrated instruments.

Medical Measurements

Medical measurements include:
- Routine measurements: body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, and body weight.
- Other required tests based on the patient's case, such as laboratory investigation, body signal investigations, and machinery measuring instruments.

Nonstandard Units in Medicine

Some quantities in medicine are measured in special units that differ from standard units, e.g., pressure in mmHg or cmHg instead of N/m² or dyne/cm², and energy in kilocalorie (Kcal) or calorie (Cal) instead of Joule.

Repetitive and Non-Repetitive Measurements

Repetitive measurements include pulse rate, breathing rate, and frequencies of electrical signals from the brain.
Non-repetitive quantities include kidney function, food digestion, time intervals of nerve signals, and eye movement.

Accuracy of Measurement

Measurements in medicine should be very accurate, with a low percentage of error, to avoid risky results.
Devices used should be reliable and of high quality to minimize measurement errors.
Measurement errors can occur due to instrument or technical errors.

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Description

This quiz covers the psychological factors that affect blood pressure and pulse rate measurements, and the types of errors that can occur in these measurements.