55.5k views
4 votes
Which of the following is a point-of-care test (POCT) used to screen for colon cancer and gastric ulcers?

1) Colonoscopy
2) Stool DNA test
3) Upper endoscopy
4) Biopsy

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The Stool DNA test is a point-of-care test used to screen for colon cancer, while an upper endoscopy is typically performed to diagnose gastric ulcers.

Step-by-step explanation:

The point-of-care test (POCT) used to screen for colon cancer is the Stool DNA test. This is a noninvasive screening method where the patient collects a stool sample using a home test kit and sends it to a lab for DNA analysis that looks for DNA from cancer cells. If the test indicates a positive result, a colonoscopy is usually advised for a more definitive examination. A colonoscopy is an invasive procedure that involves the use of a tiny camera attached to a long tube to visualize the lining of the colon to detect not only cancer but also precancerous polyps, which can be removed during the procedure, thus serving both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

For gastric ulcers, an upper endoscopy is a common procedure where a doctor inserts a tiny camera on a tube into the patient's upper GI tract to directly visualize and diagnose peptic ulcers. Other tests to detect conditions related to gastric ulcers may include breath tests, detection of antibodies in blood, and microbial tests on stool samples or biopsies from the stomach.

User Adam Tegen
by
9.5k points