page 

Common Screening and

Diagnostic Tests

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

womenshealth.gov

1-800-994-9662

TDD: 1-888-220-5446

These charts are guidelines only. Your doctor will personalize the timing of each test and immunization 

to meet your health care needs.

Name of Test Definition

Angiography (an-jee-OG-ruh-fee) Exam of your blood vessels using x-rays. The doctor inserts a 

small tube into the blood vessel and injects dye to see the vessels on the x-ray.

Barium enema A lubricated enema tube is gently inserted into your rectum. 

Barium flows into your colon. An x-ray is taken of the large 

intestine. 

Biopsy A test that removes cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist to diagnose for disease. The tissue is examined under 

a microscope for cancer or other diseases.

Blood test Blood is taken from a vein in the inside elbow or back of the 

hand to test for a health problem.

Bone mineral density (BMD) test Special x-rays of your bones are used to test if you have osteoporosis, or a weakening of the bones.

Bronchoscopy (brong-KOSS-kuhpee)Exam of the lungs. A bronchoscope, or flexible tube, is put 

through the nose or mouth and into your windpipe (trachea).

Clinical breast exam (CBE) A doctor, nurse, or other health professional uses his or her 

hands to examine your breasts and underarm areas to find 

lumps or other problems.

Chest x-ray An x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and 

diaphragm.

Colonoscopy (KOH-luhn-OSS-kuhpee)An examination of the inside of the colon using a colonoscope, 

inserted into the rectum. A colonoscope is a thin, tube-like 

instrument with a light and lens for viewing. It may also have a 

tool to remove tissue to be checked under a microscope for 

disease.

Computed tomography (tuhMOG-ruh-fee) (CT or CAT) scanThe patient lies on a table and x-rays of the body are taken 

from different angles. Sometimes, a fluid is used to highlight 

parts of the body in the scan.

Echocardiography (ek-oh-kar-deeOG-ruh-fee)An instrument (that looks like a microphone) is placed on the 

chest. It uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the 

heart. A picture appears on a TV monitor, and the heart can be 

seen in different ways.

Electrocardiography (ih-lek-trohkar-dee-OG-ruh-fee) (EKG or ECG)A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, using 

electrodes placed on the arms, legs, and chest.

Electroencephalography (ih-lektroh-en-sef-uhl-OG-ruh-fee) (EEG)A test that measures the electrical activity of the brain, using 

electrodes that are put on the patient’s scalp. Sometimes patients sleep during the test.
page 

Common Screening and

Diagnostic Tests

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

womenshealth.gov

1-800-994-9662

TDD: 1-888-220-5446

Name of Test Definition

Exercise stress test Electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, and legs to record 

the heart’s activity. A blood pressure cuff is placed around the 

arm and is inflated every few minutes. Heart rate and blood 

pressure are taken before exercise starts. The patient walks 

on a treadmill or pedals a stationary bicycle. The pace of the 

treadmill is increased. The response of the heart is monitored. 

The test continues until target heart rate is reached. Monitoring continues after exercise for 10 to 15 minutes or until the 

heart rate returns to normal.

Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) Detects hidden blood in a bowel movement. There are two 

types: the smear test and flushable reagent pads.

Laparoscopy (lap-uh-ROSS-kuh-pee) A small tube with a camera is inserted into the abdomen 

through a small cut in or just below the belly button to see 

inside the abdomen and pelvis. Other instruments can be 

inserted in the small cut as well. It is used for both diagnosing 

and treating problems inside the abdomen.

Magnetic resonance imaging 

(MRI)

A test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create a 

picture of the inside of your body without surgery. The patient 

lies on a table that slides onto a large tunnel-like tube, which 

is surrounded by a scanner. Small coils may be placed around 

your head, arm, leg, or other areas.

Mammogram X-rays of the breast taken by resting one breast at a time on a 

flat surface that contains an x-ray plate. A device presses firmly 

against the breast. An x-ray is taken to show a picture of the 

breast. Mammography is used to screen healthy women for 

signs of breast cancer. It can also be used to evaluate a woman 

who has symptoms of disease. It can, in some cases, detect 

breast cancers before you can feel them with your fingers.

Medical history The doctor or nurse talks to the patient about current and past 

illnesses, surgeries, pregnancies, medications, allergies, use of 

alternative therapies, vitamins and supplements, diet, alcohol 

and drug use, physical activity, and family history of diseases.

Pap test The nurse or doctor uses a small brush to take cells from the 

cervix (opening of the uterus) to look at under a microscope in 

a lab.

Pelvic exam A doctor or nurse asks about the patient’s health and looks 

at the vaginal area. The doctor or nurse checks the fallopian 

tubes, ovaries, and uterus by putting two gloved fingers inside 

the vagina. With the other hand, the doctor or nurse will feel 

from the outside for any lumps or tenderness.

Physical exam The doctor or nurse will test for diseases, assess your risk 

of future medical problems, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and 

update your vaccinations.
page 

Common Screening and

Diagnostic Tests

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

womenshealth.gov

1-800-994-9662

TDD: 1-888-220-5446

Name of Test Definition

Positron emission tomography 

(POZ-ih-tron ih-MISH-uhn tuh-MOGruh-fee) (PET) scan

The patient is injected with a radioactive substance, such as 

glucose. A scanner detects any cancerous areas in the body. 

Cancerous tissue absorbs more of the substance and looks 

brighter in images than normal tissue.

Sigmoidoscopy (SIG-moi-DOSSkuh-pee)The sigmoidoscope is a small camera attached to a flexible 

tube. This tube, about 20 inches long, is gently inserted into the 

colon. As the tube is slowly removed, the lining of the bowel is 

examined.

Spirometry (spuh-ROM-uh-tree) The patient breathes into a mouthpiece that is connected to 

an instrument called a spirometer. The spirometer records the 

amount and the rate of air that is breathed in and out over a 

specified time. It measures how well the lungs exhale.

Ultrasound A clear gel is put onto the skin over the area being examined. 

An instrument is then moved over that area. The machine 

sends out sound waves, which reflect off the body. A computer 

receives these waves and uses them to create pictures of the 

body.

Note: Anesthesia (medicine to block pain or sedate you) is given during some of these tests to keep you comfortable. Be sure to talk with your doctor or nurse about what to expect during and after tests and how to prepare for 

tests.

Content last updated September 10, 2008.