Assignment (3–4 pages full pages, not including title and reference pages in APA format)
Assignment Option 1: Adult Assessment Tools or Diagnostic Tests: “ Covid PCR”
A description of how the assessment tool or diagnostic test you were assigned is used in healthcare.
What is its purpose?
How is it conducted?
What information does it gather?
Based on your research, evaluate the test or the tool’s validity and reliability, and explain any issues with sensitivity, reliability, and predictive values. Include references in appropriate APA formatting. Adult Assessment Tools and Diagnostic Tests Essay
Assignment Option 1: Adult Assessment Tools or Diagnostic Tests: “Covid PCR”
Description of Covid PCR
This is a diagnostic test that makes use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology that detects the targeted genetic material from a specific organism. In this case, the Covid PCR tests for Covid-19 by checking for the presence of its genetic material. It is important to note that the test can detect the presence of virus fragments such that it can return a positive result even after the individual has been treated and recovered (Cleveland Clinic, 2021).
The PCR test for Covid-19 checks for the virus at the molecular level by analyzing specimen collected from the upper respiratory system. In this case, it checks for presence of RNA genetic material of SARS-CoV-2, the specific virus that causes Covid-19. The PCR technology can detect even small samples of the virus as it amplifies the small amount of the virus RNA found in the sample, turning them into DNA then replicating the DNA until large amounts of detectable genetic material are presented. It is important to note that the Covid PCR test only amplifies and replicates genetic material that is present as it uses primers for the virus’s genetic material. This means that there would be nothing to amplify and replicate if the genetic material is not present. The specificity, reliability and accuracy of PCR science makes Covid PCR the gold standard test for Covid-19 diagnosis (Floriano et al., 2020).
A positive result for Covid PCR implies a high probability of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. If the symptoms of Covid-19 are present, then it implies a Covid-19 infection. However, if the symptoms are not present, then it implies an asymptomatic Covid-19 infection. On the other hand, a negative result for Covid PCR implies that there is a low probability of being infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the time the specimen was collected. That is because it is possible for an individual to have the virus in low volumes that cannot be detected by the test. For instance, an individual who has only been infected for three days is likely to have a negative Covid PCR result (Cleveland Clinic, 2021).
What is its purpose?
The purpose of Covid PCR is to make accurate and sensitive copies of SARS-CoV-2 present in the sample. It makes molecular copies of the genetic material. To be more precise, it uses primers to selectively amplify specific SARS-CoV-2 DNA sequence. With this approach, the small amounts of genetic material present in the sample can be amplified into large amounts that can then be detected in molecular and genetic analyses (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2022).
How is it conducted?
This diagnostic test begins with a health care professional collecting a respiratory sample. This involves inserting a nasopharyngeal swab into the nostril to reach the back of the nose and collect a fluid sample. Shorter swabs can also be used to collect a fluid sample. In addition, a sample can be collected by having the individual being tested producing a saliva sample by spitting into a saliva tube. Once the sample is collected, it is subjected to PCR testing (Mayo Clinic, 2022). The PCR test entails the PCR first converting the virus RNA into DNA through a reverse transcription process. The DNA strands are then separated, primers added to their ends, then new complementary strands are extended along the template strand. As the DNA is duplicated, fluorescent dyes are added to act as markers for successful duplication. This PCR cycle is repeated many times to create many DNA copies. Finally, the amount of florescent dyes is checked as a measure of the virus genetic sample in the sample (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2022).
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What information does it gather?
Covid PCR test collects information on SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. It amplifies and replicates the genetic material while tagging it with fluorescent dyes thus making it possible to detect and measure the amount of genetic material. Owing to the specificity of the PCR test, particularly because it uses primers that target SARS-CoV-2 genetic material, the results of the test are determined to indicate the presence of the virus as well as the amount of the virus (National Human Genome Research Institute, 2022). Adult Assessment Tools and Diagnostic Tests Essay
Based on your research, evaluate the test or the tool’s validity and reliability, and explain any issues with sensitivity, reliability, and predictive values.
Covid PCR is considered a valid and reliable diagnostic test. In fact, it is the gold standard for testing for presence of SARS-CoV-2. PCR is an accurate and reliable molecular biology technique that users’ primers to amplify a specific part of the genetic material so many times to make it detectable. The amount of genetic material that is amplified and replicated increases exponentially with each cycle, from 2 copies in the first cycle, to 4 copies in the second cycle and 128 copies in the seventh cycle. Attached to each copy is a florescent dye molecule that can be detected when it is excited by a laser to emit light. Although this test is valid and reliable, it has a limit to SARS-CoV-2 detection. This is seen when a false negative test result is reported, in which case there are very few virus particles so that it would require very many amplification cycles to detect the virus. If the amplification only produces a small amount of genetic material, then the fluorescence may not be detectable (Jarry, 2021).
References
Floriano, I., Silvinato, A., Bernardo, W. M., Reis, J. C., & Soledade, G. (2020). Accuracy of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test in the diagnosis of acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Revista da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992), 66(7), 880–888. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.66.7.880
Jarry, J. (2021, January 15). The COVID-19 PCR Test Is Reliable Despite the Commotion About Ct Values. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/covid-19-critical-thinking/covid-19-pcr-test-reliable-despite-commotion-about-ct-values
Cleveland Clinic (2021, August 24). Covid-19 and PCR testing. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21462-covid-19-and-pcr-testing
National Human Genome Research Institute (2022, January 18). Fact Sheet: Understanding Covid-19 PCR testing. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Understanding-COVID-19-PCR-Testing
Mayo Clinic (2022, February 23). Covid-19 diagnostic testing. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/covid-19-diagnostic-test/about/pac-20488900
Assignment
Assignment (3–4 pages full pages, not including title and reference pages in APA format)
***This is a formal paper. Please use scholarly references only for this paper (you can review this information in your course syllabus). A source such as Mayo Clinic is not scholarly and should not be used. You will lose points if inappropriate references are used. Please remember the Code of Conduct as you complete your work. This policy will be enforced throughout the course. ***
Assignment Option 1: Adult Assessment Tools or Diagnostic Tests: “ Covid PCR”
A description of how the assessment tool or diagnostic test you were assigned is used in healthcare.
What is its purpose?
How is it conducted?
What information does it gather?
Based on your research, evaluate the test or the tool’s validity and reliability, and explain any issues with sensitivity, reliability, and predictive values. Include references in appropriate APA formatting.
RUBRIC
In 3–4 pages, address the following:
A description of how the assessment tool or diagnostic test you were assigned is used in healthcare.
o What is its purpose?
o How is it conducted?
o What information does it gather?–
Excellent 30 (30%) – 35 (35%)
Good 24 (24%) – 29 (29%)
Fair 18 (18%) – 23 (23%)
Poor 0 (0%) – 17 (17%)
Based on your research, evaluate the test or the tool’s validity and reliability, and explain any issues with sensitivity, reliability, and predictive values.-
Excellent 45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Good 39 (39%) – 44 (44%)
Fair 33 (33%) – 38 (38%)
Poor 0 (0%) – 32 (32%)
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well-developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction are provided that delineate all required criteria.–
Excellent 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Good 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Fair 3 (3%) – 3 (3%)
Poor 0 (0%) – 2 (2%)
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation–
Excellent 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Good 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Fair 3 (3%) – 3 (3%)
Poor 0 (0%) – 2 (2%)
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, running heads, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.–
Excellent 5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Good 4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Fair 3 (3%) – 3 (3%)
Poor 0 (0%) – 2 (2%)
Total Points: 100