BTEC Level 3 Health and social care
Unit 14: Physiological Disorders
Learning Aim B
How to diagnose diabetes and asthma
What is an investigative procedure?
An investigative procedure in health and social care is a systematic technique used by
healthcare to examine incidents, complaints and allegations that might pose risks to a
service users’ health, safety and wellbeing. This procedures helps to ensure accountability
of both the carer and the service provider, high standards of care and protect those service
users who are extremely vulnerable. Investigative procedures could be things like reporting
of incidents, accidents, complaints by the carer, patients and families. This is useful for
everyone in the health care services as it encourages someone to speak for themselves and
address concerns to the higher authorities. As well as a carer gathering relevant information
about a service user, this can include; medical records, gathering relevant documentations
that can be used for a procedure and involving witnesses such as advocates and
bystanders. There are more diagnostic procedures that can be investigative procedures like
blood tests, urine tests, biopsy, imaging tests and endoscopy tests. These tests allow the
healthcare professionals to identify any symptoms and signs that a service may get a
disorder in the near future. For example, Alzeheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that
affects intellectual or cognitive aspects of their lives such as memory, thinking, and
behaviour. Unfortunately, for someone with Alzheimer’s, their symptoms would eventually
get worse as they have to be supervised by someone to do their daily needs. General
measurements can be useful because it can help to identify areas needs of improvement
and support initiatives to enhance care. This can be done by linking someone’s medical
history of them and their families to find out what is the likelihood that the service user might
get a disease. For example, to be able to do a procedure for prostate cancer, surgery must
be involved to cure a service user who might have the disorder - the surgery is called radical
prostatectomy. This is where the urologist or surgeon in the operation removes the entire
prostate glands in the bladder but if it’s that severe sometimes they would remove the lymph
nodes. This is done to remove prostate cancer and prevent other disorders. The other
symptoms that would lead to radical prostatectomy would be frequent urination, semen
coming out red (blood) and so much more like a service user feeling like their bladder has
been emptied fully.
,What is a diagnostic procedure?
Diagnostic procedures is a test used to identify what disease or condition a person has
based on their signs and symptoms. Diagnostic procedures help to make a treatment plan
for a service user who may have a pre-disorder, and find out how well treatment is working.
When diagnostic procedures are conducted, it means that various tests and examinations
are performed to rule out a disorder. These procedures can inform healthcare and gather
important information about a service user’s health which can lead to accurate treatment
plan and diagnosis. For example, autoimmune diseases have similar symptoms like other
diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sjögren’s syndrome and systemic
lupus erythematosus. This can be concerning for the service user and maybe for the carer
for a number of different reasons. Primarily, healthcare professionals may diagnose the
wrong disorder and may mistake one disorder for another, therefore healthcare professionals
would give misinformation but also they could give the wrong treatment for a service user’s
disorder. On top of that, service users can get stressed and have anxiety because having
uncertainty can lead to mental health and wellbeing problems. Consequently, If a service
user gets the wrong treatment for the assumption of the wrong disorder that the healthcare
professionals thinks they have, it can lead to complications that could’ve been avoided with
appropriate treatment. In addition, it can be time-consuming as doctors or the
multidisciplinary team has to do several tests to diagnose service users which can also cost
money for the service provider and potentially the service user since they pay tax that covers
their medical fees. For example, alopecia areata - this is where your hair gradually falls out
and all there is left is bold spots in your scalp depending on the level of stress which can be
a symptom of this disorder. However, the earlier the disorder is being treated, the more
chances for the treatments of this disorder will lead to better health outcomes. On top of that,
it is easier to manage the disorder at an early stage because a person will have a better
quality of life and it will stop the disorder from progressing to a later stage which can put at
risk a service member who may have alopecia areata.
, Initiative or diagnostic procedures for both physiological disorders
The table below shows the different procedures of diabetes and asthma such as blood tests,
family history, pulmonary function tests and allergy tests.
Diabetes Asthma
● Fasting plasma glucose test ● Spirometry
● Random plasma glucose test ● Peak flow test
● Glucose challenge test ● FeNO test
● Oral glucose test ● Bronchodilator responsiveness test
● Genetic test ● Allergy tests
● Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test ● Physical exam
● Genetic test
● Sputum eosinophils
● X-ray (chest)
In the following I am going to explain what the test is and why it is important in diagnosing
the diseases:
Diabetes
Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test
Before knowing more details about how the test works, we first need to know what
haemoglobin means. Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen.
Haemoglobin is responsible for the transport of oxygen within the red blood cell. Once
glucose appears in the blood, it comes into contact with haemoglobin to make 'glycated
haemoglobin'. The more blood glucose is formed, the higher the level of glycated
haemoglobin that is formed. Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test is a blood test where they can
evaluate the average blood glucose sugar levels over the past two to three months.
According to Medline plus (accessed on 01/10/24) “A health care professional will take a
blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a
small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting
when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.” In addition, the
percentages commonly used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes are “Normal: A1C below
5.7%. Prediabetes: A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% Diabetes: A1C of 6.5% or higher.” This is a
significant procedure for diagnosing and managing diabetes because it gives an indication of
the level of control concerning blood sugar levels over a given period. There are benefits and
drawbacks of this procedure that can help a diabetic person manage their health. One
benefit of this procedure is that there is no fasting required for the test to effectively work.
Another benefit is that the sample can be collected immediately. This means that the sample
can be obtained any time of the day. Another benefit is that the doctor can predict any further
complications of diabetes. One drawback of this procedure is that a diabetic person would
feel thirsty. Another drawback of this procedure is that a diabetic person would feel the urge
to urinate a lot. Another drawback of this procedure is that a diabetic person would have the
side effects of blurred vision. Another drawback of this procedure is that a diabetic person
would slowly have dry skin. This procedure cannot be used to diagnose asthma because the
HbA1C test is a test that is used for the management and diagnosis of diabetes, but it should
be noted that it does not evaluate any respiratory function or inflammation, which are the
Unit 14: Physiological Disorders
Learning Aim B
How to diagnose diabetes and asthma
What is an investigative procedure?
An investigative procedure in health and social care is a systematic technique used by
healthcare to examine incidents, complaints and allegations that might pose risks to a
service users’ health, safety and wellbeing. This procedures helps to ensure accountability
of both the carer and the service provider, high standards of care and protect those service
users who are extremely vulnerable. Investigative procedures could be things like reporting
of incidents, accidents, complaints by the carer, patients and families. This is useful for
everyone in the health care services as it encourages someone to speak for themselves and
address concerns to the higher authorities. As well as a carer gathering relevant information
about a service user, this can include; medical records, gathering relevant documentations
that can be used for a procedure and involving witnesses such as advocates and
bystanders. There are more diagnostic procedures that can be investigative procedures like
blood tests, urine tests, biopsy, imaging tests and endoscopy tests. These tests allow the
healthcare professionals to identify any symptoms and signs that a service may get a
disorder in the near future. For example, Alzeheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that
affects intellectual or cognitive aspects of their lives such as memory, thinking, and
behaviour. Unfortunately, for someone with Alzheimer’s, their symptoms would eventually
get worse as they have to be supervised by someone to do their daily needs. General
measurements can be useful because it can help to identify areas needs of improvement
and support initiatives to enhance care. This can be done by linking someone’s medical
history of them and their families to find out what is the likelihood that the service user might
get a disease. For example, to be able to do a procedure for prostate cancer, surgery must
be involved to cure a service user who might have the disorder - the surgery is called radical
prostatectomy. This is where the urologist or surgeon in the operation removes the entire
prostate glands in the bladder but if it’s that severe sometimes they would remove the lymph
nodes. This is done to remove prostate cancer and prevent other disorders. The other
symptoms that would lead to radical prostatectomy would be frequent urination, semen
coming out red (blood) and so much more like a service user feeling like their bladder has
been emptied fully.
,What is a diagnostic procedure?
Diagnostic procedures is a test used to identify what disease or condition a person has
based on their signs and symptoms. Diagnostic procedures help to make a treatment plan
for a service user who may have a pre-disorder, and find out how well treatment is working.
When diagnostic procedures are conducted, it means that various tests and examinations
are performed to rule out a disorder. These procedures can inform healthcare and gather
important information about a service user’s health which can lead to accurate treatment
plan and diagnosis. For example, autoimmune diseases have similar symptoms like other
diseases such as psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sjögren’s syndrome and systemic
lupus erythematosus. This can be concerning for the service user and maybe for the carer
for a number of different reasons. Primarily, healthcare professionals may diagnose the
wrong disorder and may mistake one disorder for another, therefore healthcare professionals
would give misinformation but also they could give the wrong treatment for a service user’s
disorder. On top of that, service users can get stressed and have anxiety because having
uncertainty can lead to mental health and wellbeing problems. Consequently, If a service
user gets the wrong treatment for the assumption of the wrong disorder that the healthcare
professionals thinks they have, it can lead to complications that could’ve been avoided with
appropriate treatment. In addition, it can be time-consuming as doctors or the
multidisciplinary team has to do several tests to diagnose service users which can also cost
money for the service provider and potentially the service user since they pay tax that covers
their medical fees. For example, alopecia areata - this is where your hair gradually falls out
and all there is left is bold spots in your scalp depending on the level of stress which can be
a symptom of this disorder. However, the earlier the disorder is being treated, the more
chances for the treatments of this disorder will lead to better health outcomes. On top of that,
it is easier to manage the disorder at an early stage because a person will have a better
quality of life and it will stop the disorder from progressing to a later stage which can put at
risk a service member who may have alopecia areata.
, Initiative or diagnostic procedures for both physiological disorders
The table below shows the different procedures of diabetes and asthma such as blood tests,
family history, pulmonary function tests and allergy tests.
Diabetes Asthma
● Fasting plasma glucose test ● Spirometry
● Random plasma glucose test ● Peak flow test
● Glucose challenge test ● FeNO test
● Oral glucose test ● Bronchodilator responsiveness test
● Genetic test ● Allergy tests
● Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test ● Physical exam
● Genetic test
● Sputum eosinophils
● X-ray (chest)
In the following I am going to explain what the test is and why it is important in diagnosing
the diseases:
Diabetes
Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test
Before knowing more details about how the test works, we first need to know what
haemoglobin means. Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen.
Haemoglobin is responsible for the transport of oxygen within the red blood cell. Once
glucose appears in the blood, it comes into contact with haemoglobin to make 'glycated
haemoglobin'. The more blood glucose is formed, the higher the level of glycated
haemoglobin that is formed. Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test is a blood test where they can
evaluate the average blood glucose sugar levels over the past two to three months.
According to Medline plus (accessed on 01/10/24) “A health care professional will take a
blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a
small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting
when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.” In addition, the
percentages commonly used to diagnose diabetes and prediabetes are “Normal: A1C below
5.7%. Prediabetes: A1C between 5.7% and 6.4% Diabetes: A1C of 6.5% or higher.” This is a
significant procedure for diagnosing and managing diabetes because it gives an indication of
the level of control concerning blood sugar levels over a given period. There are benefits and
drawbacks of this procedure that can help a diabetic person manage their health. One
benefit of this procedure is that there is no fasting required for the test to effectively work.
Another benefit is that the sample can be collected immediately. This means that the sample
can be obtained any time of the day. Another benefit is that the doctor can predict any further
complications of diabetes. One drawback of this procedure is that a diabetic person would
feel thirsty. Another drawback of this procedure is that a diabetic person would feel the urge
to urinate a lot. Another drawback of this procedure is that a diabetic person would have the
side effects of blurred vision. Another drawback of this procedure is that a diabetic person
would slowly have dry skin. This procedure cannot be used to diagnose asthma because the
HbA1C test is a test that is used for the management and diagnosis of diabetes, but it should
be noted that it does not evaluate any respiratory function or inflammation, which are the
