1. BIOL 2225: Physiology Laboratory
Writing a Clinical Explanation of Experimental Procedures
Goals:
• Connect laboratory experimentation to clinical topics to increase understanding
• Develop skills necessary to effectively communicate with patients about what to expect during test procedures
and what the results of the test mean.
Instructions:
• The assignment should be written in your own words!
• All of the information necessary to complete this assignment can be found in the textbook.
• Reference pages have been given for each experiment on your lab schedule.
• If you use outside sources, be sure that they are trust‐worthy and include APA citations of each source in‐list.
Answer the following questions:
1. A patient may be scheduled to receive the given experimental procedure we will be using in lab this week (EEG,
ECG, or RESP) as a test for what kind of disorder or disease? Provide one example.
2. Write a paragraph describing the test to a patient with this disorder or disease.
Include:
• How is the test done?
• Will they be connected to any machinery?
• Will they be asked to do anything other than sit and breathe normally?
• What will be measured?
• How can this data be used to diagnose and determine appropriate treatments for disease?
Sample Clinical Explanation for Sphygmomanometry :
1. A patient may receive sphygmomanometry to test for changes in their blood pressure that could occur with
othostatic hypotension in which there is not immediate control of blood pressure upon standing.
2. Today you will be receiving a test called sphygmomanometry, also known as a blood pressure test. The test is
done by placing an inflatable cuff on your upper arm and a stethoscope on the inside of your elbow. The
inflatable cuff is attached to an air pump that will inflate and then slowly deflate the cuff, and a barometer that
measures the pressure applied to your arm. I will be using the stethoscope to listen to the sounds produced by
blood moving through your arteries. You will have this test done while laying down, sitting up and then
standing. We will be measuring the pressure in your arteries when your heart is contracting, and when your
heart is relaxed to get the two numbers that represent blood pressure. Your blood pressure will stay the same
in all positions if you are not suffering from orthostatic hypotension, because your body will immediately take
action to keep your blood pressure the same. By examining the changes in your blood pressure in these three
positions, the doctor can determine if you are suffering from orthostatic hypotension. The sphygmomanometry
data will be examined along with information on your heart rate and breathing activity, to determine your best
treatment options.