Ch 1 Flashcards
What is radiologic technology?
A health care profession that includes all diagnostic imaging technologists and radiation therapists
Who is a radiographer?
A radiologic technologist who administers ionizing radiation to perform radiographic procedures
What do radiographers produce?
Radiographic images at the request of a licensed medical practitioner
What knowledge areas are required for a radiographer?
- Physics
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pathology
What do the Radiography Practice Standards include?
- Clinical Performance Standards
- Quality Performance Standards
- Professional Performance Standards
What is the purpose of the Standards of Ethics for Radiologic Technologists?
Describe professional values that translate into practice
What does the Code of Ethics consist of?
10 statements that serve as a professional behavior guide for RTs
How many Rules of Ethics are there?
22 Rules of Ethics
What is the purpose of the CAMRT Member Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct?
Articulate the expected ethical behavior of all RTs
What is the role of advanced clinical practice for radiographers?
Allows radiographers to act as a ‘radiologist extender’
What are the titles for radiographers with advanced clinical roles?
- Radiologist Assistant (RA)
- Radiology Practitioner Assistant (RPA)
What is the foundation of infection control according to the CDC?
Standard Precautions for All Patient Care
What are some aspects of Standard Precautions?
- Perform hand hygiene
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Follow respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette principles
- Ensure appropriate patient placement
What should radiographers do before and after working with each patient?
Wash their hands
What are the three types of motion that can affect image quality?
- Involuntary
- Voluntary
- Equipment
What is the primary control for involuntary motion?
Use short exposure time
What can cause involuntary motion during imaging?
- Heartbeat
- Chills
- Peristalsis
- Tremor
- Spasm
- Pain
What can cause voluntary motion during imaging?
- Nervousness
- Discomfort
- Excitability
- Mental illness
- Fear
- Age
- Breathing
How can radiographers control voluntary patient motion?
- Giving clear instructions
- Providing patient comfort
- Adjusting support devices
- Applying immobilization
What is an image receptor?
The device that receives the energy of the x-ray beam and forms the image of the body part
What are the four types of Image Receptors?
- Solid-state digital detectors
- Photostimulable storage phosphor image plate (PSP IP)
- Fluoroscopic image receptor
- Cassette with film
What is the purpose of positioning aids?
Ensure a body part remains in the appropriate posture during exposure
What does collimation serve to minimize?
- Patient exposure
- Scatter radiation
What are the basic marker conventions for radiographs?
- R or L markers on all radiographs
- Marker should never obscure anatomy
- Marker should be placed in the exposure field on the edge of the collimation border
- Marker should be placed outside of any lead shielding
What is a radiograph?
The image recorded by exposing any of the image receptors to x-rays
What are the primary factors considered to establish correct foundation technique?
- Milliampere-seconds (mAs)
- Kilovolt peak (kVp)
- Source-to-image receptor distance (SID)
- Relative patient or part thickness
What does SID stand for?
Source-to-Image Receptor Distance
What is the recommended minimum Source-to-Skin Distance (SSD)?
12 inches (<30 cm)
What is the purpose of gonadal shielding?
To reduce radiation exposure to the patient’s reproductive organs
What is the term for the image recorded by exposing any of the image receptors to x-rays?
Radiograph
Radiographs are crucial for diagnosing and treating patients.
What must the radiographer evaluate for each radiograph?
- Acceptability of image features
- Proper radiation safety practices
- Whether the objectives for performing the procedure have been met
List the additional image evaluation criteria to be considered.
- Presence of patient identification
- Proper radiographic marker placement
- Proper collimation
- Evidence of required patient shielding
- Absence of artifacts
True or False: Radiographs are usually viewed in the anatomic position.
True
Exceptions include hands, fingers, wrists, feet, and toes.
What required information must be included on all radiographs?
- Date
- Patient’s name or ID number
- Right or left side marker
- Institution identity
Which of the following is NOT required identification on a radiographic image?
Referring physician’s name
Required items include side marker, patient name or ID number, and name of the facility.
What must a technique chart include?
- Pathology type
- kVp
- AEC
- Grid
Define obesity according to the text.
An increase in body weight by an excessive accumulation of fat
Measured by body mass index (BMI).
What BMI range is classified as obese?
30 to 39.9
A BMI of 40+ is classified as morbidly obese.
What weight limits do radiographic tables have?
Weight limits vary, but some tables have been redesigned to support up to 700lbs.
What transportation considerations must be made for obese patients?
- Larger wheelchairs and transport beds or stretchers needed
- Risk of injury to the radiographer and health care team
- Use of proper body mechanics
- Adequate personnel must be available
Fill in the blank: Empathic communication is ______ in all imaging procedures.
essential
What are the guidelines for locating the pubic symphysis on an obese patient who is approximately 5 feet tall?
21 inches from the jugular notch
Which factors affect whether a radiographic examination can be performed on an obese patient?
- Height
- Weight
- BMI
What should the radiographer avoid mentioning when communicating with obese patients?
Weight
List the distances from the jugular notch to the pubic symphysis based on patient height.
- <5 feet: 21 inches
- 5 to 6 feet: 22 inches
- > 6 feet: 24 inches
True or False: Most palpable landmarks are accessible in the morbidly obese.
False
This presents imaging challenges.
