Which term describes the tests ordered by the physician to aid in establishing a diagnosis?

• A. Procedures
• B. History and Physical
• C. ROS
• D. Diagnostic tests

Answer: (D)

Diagnostic tests are the tests ordered by the physician to help establish a diagnosis. These studies—such as labs, imaging, ECGs, and cultures—provide objective data that can confirm or exclude potential conditions raised during the history and physical examination. The history and physical describe the patient’s story and the clinician’s exam; ROS (review of systems) is a structured part of that assessment focusing on symptoms by body system. Procedures refer to interventions or actions taken on the patient, which may be diagnostic in some cases but are not the general term for tests ordered to determine a diagnosis. Hence, diagnostic tests best fit the description of tests ordered to aid in establishing a diagnosis.