General Considerations in Performing Radiographic Examinations and Radiologic Procedures

radiographic orders

physician's request for radiographic examination or radiologic procedure

radiology request

a clinical document completed by a licensed physician stating what procedure or examination is desired

radiology request

this document contains what examination needs to be done, why the examination needs to be conducted, and on whom the examination will be performed

- patient details

- name

- age

- gender

- procedure to be done

- specific part of the body to be examined

- details of the requesting physician (referrer)

- name

- contact number

- date requested

- other information (e.g., medical history)

components of a request form (11):

referring physician

when an imaging study is required, a request form is filled out by the

- fines

- disqualification of radiation license

- dismissal

- possible litigation

performing a procedure without a request may lead to (4):

- ask patient about

- check the wrist band or patient's chart

- name of the patient

- assigned identification number (e.g., medical record number)

- date of birth

- phone number

- social security number

- address

- photo

ways on how to identify patient (9):

- the patient's name or patient identification number (PIN)

- patient's age or date of birth and gender

- date of the study

- location where the study was performed

- markers are essential to designate right and left

patient identification in the radiograph (5):

- review of clinical history

- chief complaint

- allergy history

- localization

- severity

- onset

- aggravating factors or alleviating factors

- associated manifestations

- special considerations

clinical history and patient assessment (9):

- ensure that the correct patient is for the right procedure

- perform the correct procedure

- provide patient comfort, security, and safety

- prepare the examination room and supplies

role of the radiographer (4):

questioning skills

radiologic technologist must be able to extract vital information from the patient without offending the patient and violating his/her privacy

rapport

must be developed to gain patient's trust

chief complaint

medical term used to describe the primary problem of the patient that led the patient to seek medical attention and of which they are most concerned

allergy

an abnormal reaction of the body to a previously encountered allergen introduced by inhalation, ingestion, injection, or skin contact, often manifested by itchy eyes, runny nose, wheezing, skin rash, or diarrhea

pain

physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or pain

visceral pain

is diffuse, difficult to locate, and often referred to a distant, usually superficial, structure

visceral pain

may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting and may be described as sickening, deep, squeezing, and dull

deep somatic pain

pain initiated by stimulation of nociceptors in ligaments, tendons, bones, blood vessels, fasciae and muscles

deep somatic pain

it is dull, aching, poorly localized pain; examples include sprains and broken bones

superficial somatic pain

pain initiated by activation of nociceptors in the skin or other superficial tissue

superficial somatic pain

it is sharp, well-defined, and clearly located; examples include injuries such as minor wounds and minor (first degree burns)

severity

moderate, severe, or excruciating

onset

the beginning of pain or complaint

aggravating factors

factors that make the condition worse

alleviating factors

factors that make condition lessen

- pregnant patients

- pediatric patients

- non-ambulatory patients

- geriatric patients

- extremely tall or big patients

- other considerations

- uncooperative patients

special considerations (7):

- patient dressing room

- patient gown

- cassette and film

- radiographic table and upright bucky

- patient identification markers

- contrast media (iodine or barium)

- powder or liquid suspension

- enema can

- foley catheter

- lubricants

things to check (10):