Book excerpt: Every nursing professional should be able to understand and interpret the most commonly used diagnostic procedures -- every nurse should own this book! This helpful text explains every relevant aspect of laboratory and diagnostic testing, enabling the reader to provide the best and most complete patient care. Coverage includes: primary and other commonly used test names; test descriptions, including relevant anatomy and physiology, indications and the test's theoretical basis; normal values; abnormal values; possible meanings of abnormal values; contributing factors to abnormal values; contraindications; pre-test nursing care; procedures; and post-test nursing care. The text also provides three appendices consisting of drug references and common test groupings; a bibliography of sources used; and a comprehensive listing of all test names and abbreviations.