Glossary

Category: I

  • Iodine ring test

    A test done on urine to detect the presence of bile.  

  • Inulin clearance

    The rate at which the kidneys excrete inulin; tested to evaluate kidney function and diagnose muscle or liver diseases.  

  • Intravenous glucose tolerance test

    A blood test done on diabetics, or to diagnose diabetes. The test involves an intravenous injection of glucose in the fasting state, then measuring the blood sugar level at specific intervals over a period of several hours.  

  • Intravascular contrast echocardiography

    Injection of contrast material into the cardiovascular circulation to determine, with ultrasound, the direction and speed of blood flow in these areas.  

  • Intravascular coagulation test

    A test done to detect internal coagulation of blood, a phenomenon that occurs in a number of blood coagulation disorders.  

  • Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography

    A technique used to diagnose blood vessel abnormalities such as obstruction, closure, and others. The technique involves injection of contrast material into an artery, then using a computer and video terminal to produce an image of the area being examined.  

  • Intermittent positive pressure breathing

    A process wherein a ventilation machine uses alternately positive and negative pressure to aid a person with respiratory problems. A mechanical method for assisting pulmonary ventilation employing a device that administers air or oxygen for the inflation of the lungs under positive pressure. Exhalation is usually passive.  

  • Intake and output

    A measurement of fluids taken in versus fluids put out via urine, drainage of body fluid, or vomiting. Done to assess whether intake and output are balanced. Measurement of a patient’s fluid intake by mouth, feeding tubes, or intravenous catheters and output from kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, drainage tubes, and wounds. Accurate 24-hr measurement and recording…

  • Insulin tolerance test

    A test done on blood to determine certain hormonal functions, such as growth hormone secretory capacity and pituitary or adrenocortical insufficiency. A test to determine a patient’s hormonal responses to induced hypoglycemia. After 0.1 IU of insulin/kg is given intravenously, blood is drawn at regular intervals to measure serum cortisol in patients with suspected adrenal…

  • Inflatable penile prosthesis

    A surgically implanted device in the penis of men who suffer from impotence, which enables them to have sexual intercourse.