AP Chest Technique Flashcards
what radiation protection measures should be carried out in an AP mobile chest? - 7 points
query the need for the x-ray to occur on the ward
all personnel must be protected if they’re required for additional support
radiographer should wear lead rubber gowns - no lead equivalent glass
stand as far from the pt as possible and behind the direction of the primary beam
all ward staff, adjacent and ambulatory pt’s should leave immediate vicinity or 2 metres away
horizontal beam - adj pt’s as far away as poss
collimation should be as efficient as poss
when should an AP mobile chest be performed?
Give examples of wards that will most likely require a mobile chest X-ray
if moving the pt would seriously affect their medical treatment or if their condition won’t allow them
CCU, HDU, ITU, SCBU, A&E
What is done for infection protection whilst doing mobile chest X-rays? - 3 points
Barrier nursing
equipment - cleaned before and after
prioritise workload - especially important with vulnerable pt’s - ITU, post surgery, SCBU, immunosuppressed
why should you try and select a machine with the greatest output?
to be able to minimise breathing and involuntary movements by utilising short exposure times
What do you do when you arrive on the ward? - 3 points
always report to the nurse in charge of the pt’s care, gain permission and explain what you’re going to do, ask or evaluation of the pt’s general condition to decide whether you’ll need nursing assistance or not
What do you do when you arrive by the pt’s bedside? - 2 points
ensure you have the correct pt - wristband/ID check
explain what you are going to do - even if pt is unconscious
What additional actions should be carried out prior to introducing a cassette? - 4points
note the cassette number with the pt details - especially if x-raying multiple pt’s
privacy = essential
clear area of any non-essential personnel/pt’s
make sure there are no foreign bodies, coins, jewellery etc.
when do you position the cassette?
once everything is organised
what must be done if there are drips, drains, catheters etc?
extra care is required and help will be required to ensure nothing is dislodged
what is the positioning for an AP mobile chest?
where to centre?
what is the SID?
pt erect, no grid, 35cmx45cm CR cassette
position the upper border of the IR approximately 5cm above the shoulders to ensure apices included on image
rotate hands inwards to displace scapulae
central ray to the sternal notch and angle caudally to the centre of the image
180cm to minimise magnification of the heart
what should be included on an AP mobile chest image?
both lateral borders of the chest wall
apices superiorly
costophrenic angles - bases of the lungs
what should also be checked on the image?
no rotation - using sterno-clavicular joints
sufficient breath in - adequate inspiration
