Chapter 1: Mr. Tucker 112

Radiologic Technology

Healthcare profession which includes the diagnostic imaging technologists and radiation therapists.

What is the Scope of Practice?

It summarizes the roles and responsibilities for the radiographer.

Radiographer

This is the Radiologic Technologist who administers the ionizing radiation to perform radiographic procedures.

What is ALARA?

This is the responsibility of the radiographer to ensure each esposure is “as low as reasonably achievable”

Who writes and maintains the Radiography Practice Standards?

ASRT- American Society of Radiologic Technologists

What is the ASRT?

It defines the practice standards and the Scope of Practice.

Describe the term “Ethics”

A term applied to health professionals moral responsibility and the appropriate conduct towards others.

What maintains the Standards of Ethics?

ARRT- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

What is the ARRT Code of Ethics?

Set of guidelines that serves as a behavior guide for imaging professionals. It is meant to help maintain a high ethical conduct.

How many Rules of Ethics are there?

There are 22 rules and 10 statements

Who can provide advanced imaging services?

RA: Radiologist Assistant

RPA: Radiology Practitioner Assistant

• Can only get these titles after passing the advanced level certification exam.

How often should the tabletop be wiped down?

It should be wiped down before and after each patient

What can you not clean with water in the procedure room?

Electrical equipment

When should the room be prepared?

Before the patient comes in for there procedure

What is the best way to help prevent the spread of infection?

Hand hygeine

Where should you stand in the OR?

On the opposite side of the surgeon

How should you interact with patients?

• Patients who are capable of understanding should be given an explanation of the procedure before it is performed.

• They should be comfortable and know what to expect.

What are the three types of motion?

• Voluntary

• Involuntary

• Equipment

Give examples of involuntary motion?

• Heartbeat

• Chills

• Pain

• Tremor

• Spasm

How can you gain primary control while someone is having involuntary motion?

Use short exposure time

Give examples of voluntary control

• Discomfort

• fear

• breathing

• Mental illness

• age

How can a radiographer help control images with voluntary control?

• Give clear instructions

• Provide comfort

• Adjust support devices

• Apply immobilization

• Decrease exposure time

What is the radiographer responsible for obtaining from the patient?

Clinical history

Age Specific Competence

The ability of healthcare providers to deliver appropriate services tailored to the specific developmental and age-related needs of patients. This ensures effective communication and care throughout different life stages.

What is age specific competence based on?

The knowledge that different groups of patients have special physical needs.

What are the three types of muscular tissue that affect motion?

• Striated

• cardiac

• smooth

What is a thin radiolucent mattress?

A table pad

Why would you use a table pad?

To help reduce movement related to patient discomfort caused by lying on a hard surface.

Where should table pads be used?

If possible, where there is no projection being made.

What does IR stand for?

Image receptor

What is an Image Receptor

A device that receives the energy of the x ray beam and forms the image of the body part.

What should be in every room and on all mobile units?

A technique chart

What is included in the technique charts?

• It specifies the projections performed in the room

• Includes exposure factors for each projection

Which IR position is most frequently used?

Lengthwise

Define SID

The distance from the anode inside the x ray to the IR

Why should SID be at least 40 inches away from the IR?

To reduce magnification and improve spacial resolution (image quality)

What is collimation?

The restriction of the radiation field to the area of interest, minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues.

What are anatomic markers?

These are used to identify the patients left and right on the image, made of lead

Where should the anatomic markers be placed?

In the exposure field, on the edge of the collimation border. Should always be placed outside of the lead shielding.

What all should be included on an Image ID?

• Patient name or ID number

• Date

• Institution Identity

• Right or left side marker

What is the body mass for obese and morbidly obese patients?

• 30 to 39.9 is considered obese

• 40 and higher is morbidly obese

What is commonly used as an immobilization device?

• Positioning sponges

• Sandbags

What are some Localization tips?

These tips help if there are no landmarks that are accessible, mainly in obese Patients.

• Locate the jugular notch and pubic symphysis as landmarks

What will help with transfer and movement safety?

• Making sure the table can support the patients weight

• Always having the adequate personnel available to assist

• Explain the positioning that is required to the patient for the procedure

What is shuttering used for?

Used to provide a black background around the original collimation edges to reduce scatter radiation.

Why should the collimator be manually adjusted?

To ensure that all anatomy pertinent to the radiographic procedure ordered is included in the imaging field to target the specific area of interest.

What are the three general positions for the IR?

• lengthwise

• crosswise

• diagonal

What two purposes does collimation serve?

• To minimize the amount of radiation to the patient

• To reduce the amount of scatter radiation and to improve image quality by limiting the exposed area.

What three things can SID affect?

• Magnification

• Spatial resolution

• Patient dose

What does SID stand for?

Source to Image Receptor Distance

• The distance from the radiation source to the image receptor.

Breathing Technique

Instructing the patient to breathe during a longer exposure to reduce motion blur on the image.

What does CDC stand for?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Where can you find the CDC rules?

In the Standard Precautions for All Patient Care

What does the Standards of Precaution include?

• How to perform hand hygiene

• Use personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Follow respiratory hygiene

• Ensure appropriate patient placement

What is the Merrill’s Atlas?

Addresses the normal adult patient in the age group from 18 - 60 years old

What does Radiopaque mean?

This mean something that cannot be penetrated easily by x-rays

• Example: Starch

What does OID stand for?

Object to Image Receptor Distance