Radiography - Patient Preparation & Positioning

Considerations 

• General anaesthesia or sedation should be undertaken whenever possible

• An enema may be required 

• Mud, girt, and stones should be removed from the coat and feet

• Take care not to splash contrast media onto the patient 

• Remove collar and harness if x-raying cervical or thorax area 

• Increase exposure when x-raying through casts or splints 

Care should be taken to avoid worsening any condition that the patient may be suffering from. Consider ..

• Discomfort of the patient - especially important for injured or dyspnoeic patients

• Restrain and immobilisation of the patient

• Accuracy of radiography examination 

Radiation can be dangerous is used inappropriately - the beam should be ..

Centered correctly over the area to be exposed and it should also be collimated to reduce the effect of scatter radiation 

For every position, there are distinct landmarks which should be used to ensure .. 

You have centered and collimated the primary beam correctly 

Positioning aids are used to ensure that .. 

Limbs and other body parts do not infiltrate the exposure area, as this would obliterate your film 

The area of interest should be placed ..

As near to the film as possible

The primary beam should be collimated to ..

As small a possible

If a limb is being x-rayed, it may be useful to ..

X-ray the opposite limb for comparison

Troughs 

Mainly used to prevent rotation of the longitudinal axis 

Ties or velcro straps

To secure limbs in place

Sandbags

To help stabilise or secure

Foam wedges 

To help ensure an even plane 

Wooden blocks

To help stabilise