RADR 1201 Unit 02 Comprehensive Review Notes

Course Overview and Examination Scope

• Course Code and Title: RADR 1201 - Introduction to Radiologic Technology.
• Scope of Material: Definitive review guide for Unit 02 Examination, covering clinical medical abbreviations, professional health titles, regulatory and professional organizations, radiographic nomenclature, imaging equipment terminology, and foundational medical word parts.
• Learning Objectives: Master medical language, acronyms, credentialing titles, and physical components of diagnostic radiographic equipment necessary for clinical practice.

Medical Abbreviations

• AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome — A severe immunologic disorder caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) resulting in severe compromise of the immune system.
• про (NPO / Nothing by Mouth): Listed as про; clinically represents nil per os (nothing by mouth), a standard pre-procedure patient instruction prohibiting oral intake of liquids or solids.
• ASAP: As Soon As Possible — Clinical designation for high-priority diagnostic procedures requiring rapid scheduling and execution.
• BE: Barium Enema — Fluoroscopic and radiographic examination of the large intestine utilizing a barium sulfate contrast medium introduced rectally.
• BID: bis in die — Latin medical instruction meaning twice a day.
• BP: Blood Pressure — Measurement of systemic arterial force exerted by circulating blood, recorded as systolic over diastolic pressure.
• CAD: Coronary Artery Disease / Computer-Aided Detection — Condition characterized by myocardial ischemia due to plaque accumulation, or advanced computer software algorithms designed to assist radiologic image interpretation.
• CCU: Coronary Care Unit / Cardiac Care Unit — Specialized intensive care hospital department dedicated to acute cardiac conditions.
• CHF: Congestive Heart Failure — Impairment of cardiac pumping capacity leading to fluid retention and tissue edema.
• CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation — Emergency life-saving intervention combining chest compressions and artificial ventilation.
• CSF: Cerebrospinal Fluid — Clear fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord within the subarachnoid space.
• CT: Computed Tomography — Cross-sectional digital imaging technique utilizing a rotating x-ray beam and detector array.
• CXR: Chest X-Ray — Projectional radiograph of the thoracic cavity, lungs, heart, and surrounding rib cage.
• DOB: Date of Birth — Essential patient demographic identifier used to confirm patient identity and track medical records.
• DX: Diagnosis — Identification of the nature or cause of an illness or injury following clinical evaluation.
• ECG / EKG: Electrocardiogram — Diagnostic recording of the electrical activity generated by the heart.
• ER / ED: Emergency Room / Emergency Department — Acute medical care facility designed for immediate treatment of urgent health conditions.
• GI: Gastrointestinal — Relating to the digestive tract, encompassing the stomach, intestines, and associated structures.
• HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act — Federal law protecting patient health information privacy and security.
• HX: History — Documented clinical summary of a patient's past medical events, surgical procedures, and presenting symptoms.
• ICCU: Intensive Coronary Care Unit / Intermediate Coronary Care Unit — Specialized unit dedicated to critical cardiac patient management.
• ICU: Intensive Care Unit — Hospital facility providing specialized continuous care and life support for critically ill patients.
• IV: Intravenous — Within or administered directly into the venous circulatory system.
• KUB: Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder — Plain abdomen radiograph evaluated without contrast media to examine urinary and gastrointestinal structures.
• lat: Lateral — Projection or anatomical orientation parallel to the sagittal plane or toward the side of the body.
• prn: pro re nata — Latin clinical instruction meaning as needed or according to circumstances.
• SOB: Shortness of Breath — Subjective clinical presentation of respiratory distress or dyspnea.
• STAT: statim — Latin designation for an urgent clinical request requiring immediate execution.
• TB: Tuberculosis — Infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting pulmonary tissue.
• TID: ter in die — Latin medical instruction meaning three times a day.
• UA: Urinalysis — Diagnostic chemical, physical, and microscopic evaluation of urine.
• UGI: Upper Gastrointestinal — Fluoroscopic exam evaluating the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum following oral contrast administration.

Titles and Professional Organizations

• ACERT: Association of Chiropractic Educators and Radiological Technologists / Association of Educators in Radiological Technology — Academic organization supporting educators and instructional methods in radiologic sciences.
• ACR: American College of Radiology — Professional medical society of radiologists, radiation oncologists, and medical physicists focused on optimizing imaging practices and standards.
• AEIRS: Association of Educators in Imaging and Radiologic Sciences — Professional academic organization promoting excellence in radiologic science education.
• AHA: American Hospital Association / American Heart Association — Organization representing hospital health networks, or dedicated to cardiovascular care and standardizing emergency care protocols.
• ARRT: American Registry of Radiologic Technologists — World's largest credentialing body certifying and registering qualified radiologic technologists in imaging modalities.
• ASRT: American Society of Radiologic Technologists — Premier national professional association representing radiologic sciences professionals, establishing scope of practice and standard educational curricula.
• CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Federal public health agency responsible for disease prevention, infection control guidelines, and environmental safety protocols.
• EMT: Emergency Medical Technician — Healthcare practitioner trained in pre-hospital emergency medical evaluation and rapid stabilization.
• HMO: Health Maintenance Organization — Healthcare delivery system offering managed care services through dedicated provider networks.
• TJC: The Joint Commission — Independent non-profit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare organizations for clinical quality and safety standards.
• JRCERT: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology — Accrediting body recognized by the US Department of Education that evaluates radiologic technology education programs.
• MD: Doctor of Medicine (Medical Doctor) — Licensed medical practitioner holding a doctoral degree in medicine.
• NCRP: National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements — Congressional chartered body recommending radiation quantities, protection standards, and safety measurements.
• OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration — Federal regulatory agency enforcing safety and health standards across workplaces.
• RN: Registered Nurse — Licensed healthcare professional providing direct patient care, assessment, and treatment execution.
• RT (R): Registered Technologist in Radiography — Official professional credential designation granted by the ARRT for certified radiographers.
• WHO: World Health Organization — United Nations specialized agency directing international public health initiatives and disease monitoring.

Radiographic Nomenclature and Technical Equipment

• Anode: Positively charged electrode component within an x-ray tube; consists of a rotating tungsten target where incoming relativistic electrons collide to produce x-ray photons and thermal energy.
• Bucky: Mechanism named after Dr. Gustav Bucky (Bucky-Potter diaphragm) situated beneath the radiographic table or behind the upright wall stand; houses the image receptor and mechanically moves an antiscatter grid during exposure.
• Cassette: Light-tight rigid holder enclosing an image receptor (such as a photostimulable phosphor plate in CR) to protect it from ambient light and physical damage.
• Cathode: Negatively charged electrode in the x-ray tube assembly; contains the heated tungsten filament(s) and focusing cup responsible for thermionic electron emission.
• Collimator: Adjustable lead-shuttered beam-restricting device attached to the x-ray tube housing; controls the dimensions and geometry of the primary x-ray beam to limit patient dose and minimize scattered radiation.
• Computed Radiography (CR): Digital imaging process utilizing a photostimulable storage phosphor (PSP) imaging plate inside a cassette, which is subsequently processed in a specialized laser reader to produce a digital image.
• Direct Digital Radiography (DR): Digital imaging system utilizing direct or indirect flat-panel detectors (FPDs) that convert incident x-ray energy instantly into electronic digital signal data without intermediate processing steps.
• Grid: Device containing thin lead strips separated by radiolucent interspace material, placed between the patient and image receptor to absorb scatter radiation generated within the patient.
• HIS: Hospital Information System — Comprehensive software network managing administrative, demographic, billing, and general clinical data across a medical institution.
• Image Receptor (IR): Primary device receiving remnant radiation exiting the patient and converting it into a visible diagnostic image or digital dataset.
• Lead Aprons: Protective garments manufactured with lead or equivalent radiation-attenuating elements; used to shield clinical personnel and patients from scattered ionizing radiation, typically providing $0.25\,\text{mm}$ to $0.5\,\text{mm}$ lead equivalence.
• PACS: Picture Archiving and Communication System — Dedicated medical imaging network used for high-speed digital transmission, archiving, viewing, and storage of radiologic images.
• Radiographic Image: Displayed visual representation of internal anatomical structures created by the differential attenuation of an x-ray beam captured on an image receptor.
• Radiographic Position: Specific physical placement of the patient's body or body part relative to the x-ray tube, image receptor, and central ray axis.
• Source-to-Image Receptor Distance (SID): Linear spatial distance measured from the focal spot target inside the x-ray tube anode to the surface of the image receptor; standard operating distances include $40\,\text{inches}$ ($\approx 100\,\text{cm}$) and $72\,\text{inches}$ ($\approx 180\,\text{cm}$).

Medical Terminology and Word Parts

• Prefix: Word element added to the beginning of a root word or combining form to modify its meaning by specifying direction, location, quantity, or time.
• Root: Central core component of a medical word that conveys the fundamental anatomical or physiological meaning.
• Suffix: Word part attached to the end of a root word or combining form to modify its meaning, typically indicating a procedure, disease process, condition, or part of speech.
• Combining Form: A root word combined with a joining vowel (typically "o") to connect word elements smoothly.
• Radi/o: Combining form referring to radiation, x-ray energy, or the radius bone.
• Path/o: Combining form denoting disease or pathologic process.
• Oste/o: Combining form denoting bone tissue.
• Arthr/o: Combining form denoting an anatomical joint.
• Cardi/o: Combining form denoting the heart.
• Cephal/o: Combining form denoting the head.
• Cyt/o: Combining form denoting a cell.
• Dermat/o: Combining form denoting the skin.
• Encephal/o: Combining form denoting the brain.
• Gastr/o: Combining form denoting the stomach.
• Hemat/o / Hem/o: Combining form denoting blood.
• Hepat/o: Combining form denoting the liver.
• My/o: Combining form denoting muscle tissue.
• Nephr/o / Ren/o: Combining form denoting the kidney.
• Neur/o: Combining form denoting the nervous system or nerves.
• Onc/o: Combining form denoting a tumor, mass, or neoplasm.
• Thorac/o: Combining form denoting the chest or thoracic cavity.
• -itis: Suffix indicating inflammation of a specific tissue or organ.
• -ology: Suffix indicating the formal study or science of a discipline.
• -ography: Suffix indicating the technical process of recording or producing an image.
• -ogram: Suffix indicating the finished written record, trace, or radiologic image.
• -ectomy: Suffix indicating surgical removal, excision, or resection.
• -otomy: Suffix indicating surgical cutting or incising into an organ or tissue.
• -ostomy: Suffix indicating the surgical creation of an artificial opening or stoma.
• -pathy: Suffix indicating a disease condition or structural abnormality.