chapter 3 px care

Ambulatory

Walking, or able to walk

Atrophy

Decrease in the size of the organ, tissue, or muscle

Decubitus ulcer

A pressure sore or ulcer

dyspnea

Labored or difficult breathing

immobilizer

Velcro straps that are used on a patient’s limbs or waist to prevent a patient from injuring him or herself or others

Ischemia

Deficiency of blood in a body part due to functional constriction or actual obstruction of a blood vessel

Tissue necrosis

Localized death of tissue due to injury or lack of oxygen

Ulceration

An area of tissue necrosis that penetrates below the epidermis; excavation of the surface of any body organ

By Gurney

When a patient is moved from a gurney to a radiographic table, or the reverse, great care must be taken to prevent injury

Sliding Board Transfer

also called a smooth mover and a “smoothie”

- is a glossy, plasticized board approximately 5 feet 10 inches in length and about 2 feet 6 inches wide.

Supine or dorsal recumbent position

Patient is flat on the back. The feet and the neck will need to be protected when the patient is lying in this position. A pillow may be placed under the head to tilt it forward. The feet should be supported to prevent plantar flexion or footdrop

Lateral recumbent position

Patient is on the right or the left side with both knees flexed. This position relieves pressure on most bony prominences. The patient may be supported with pillows or sandbags to maintain the position.

prone position

Patient lies face down. A small pillow should support the head to prevent flexion of the cervical spine. The patient maybe moved down on the table so that the feet drop over the edge, or a pillow may be placed under the lower legs at the ankles to prevent footdrop.

High Fowler position

Patient semi-sits with head raised at an angle of 45 to 90 degrees off the table. This position is used for patient in respiratory distres

Semi-Fowler position

Patient’s head is raised at an angle of 15 to 30 degrees off the table. The arms must be supported to prevent pull on the shoulders, and the feet must be supported to prevent plantar flexion or footdrop. Pillows or blocks under knees must be removed after a brief time (15 to 20 minutes) to prevent circulatory impairment

sims position

Patient lies on either left or right side with the forward arm flexed and the posterior arm extended behind the body. The body is inclined slightly forward with the top knee bent sharply and the bottom knee slightly bent. This position is frequently used for diagnostic imaging of the lower bowel as an aid in inserting the enema tip

Trendelenburg position

The table or bed is inclined with the patient’s head lower than the rest of the body. Patients are occasionally placed in this position during diagnostic imaging procedures and for promotion of venous return in patients with inadequate peripheral perfusion caused by disease

pain

Sudden pain or pain that increases with passive motion may indicate nerve damage.

Coldness

Fingers or toes distal to a cast should feel warm.

numbness

A cast that is too tight may cause (),another sign of nerve damage.

Burning or tingling of fingers or toes

These symptoms may indicate circulatory impairment.

swelling

Indicative of edema, () may result in circulatory impairment or nerve compression.

Skin color changes (to a pale or bluish color)

Skin should remain pink and warm. In darkskinned persons, temperature and comparison with the normal extremity are evaluated

Inability to move fingers or toes

All fingers and toes should be able to be moved and fully extended and flexed.

Decrease in or absence of pulses

-These changes may indicate circulatory impairment

bedpan

- The patient who is unable to get to the lavatory

must be offered a () or urinal.

male urinal

is made of plastic and is shaped so it can be used by a patient who is supine, lying on the right or left side, or in Fowler position.

male urinal

male patient who unable to get off of the gurney or examining table to go to the lavatory.

Carbon dioxide extinguisher

grease or electrical fire

Soda and acid water extinguisher

paper and wood fire

Dry chemical extinguisher

rubbish or wood fire

Antifreeze or water

rubbish, wood, grease, or anesthetic fire

eye contact

Flush eyes with water for 15 minutes or until irritation subsides. Consult a physician immediately.

Skin contact

remove any affected clothing; wash skin thoroughly with gentle soap and water

inhalation

Remove from exposure; if breathing has stopped, begin CPR; call emergency number and a physician.

ingestion

Do not induce vomiting; call emergency number and Poison Control Center.

time

Use the shortest exposure time possible. Remember that radiation dosage increases with fluoroscopic imaging.

distance

The closer a person is to the radiation beam, the greater the exposure.

shielding

who are unable to reduce their exposure either by limiting time or increasing distance is the third alternative for protection from ionizing radiation

shielding

is done by setting up a protective barrier, usually lead or an equivalent, between the source of the ionizing radiation and the subject involved, whether the patient or others in the vicinity.