CT Exam Flashcards
Why may lab tests be required for a patient prior to a CT exam?
To determine the blood’s ability to coagulate and to generally asses liver function
What are some lab tests that may be ordered to determine blood coagulation and liver function?
Prothombin time (PT) Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) International normalized ratio (INR) D-dimer Platelet count
What the typically accepted values for PT?
10-14 seconds
What the typically accepted values for PTT?
20-40 seconds
Which lab test is used as a way to standardize the prothombin time for patients who are taking oral anticoagulant medications (Coumdain/Heparin)?
INR
A high INR level of around _____ indicates whats?
5.0, high chance of bleeding
A low INR level of around _____ indicates whats?
0.5, high chance of having a clot
What is the normal INR range for a healthy person?
0.9-1.3
Patients on anti-coagulant drugs should have an INR of:
2.0-3.0
Patients who have a high risk of clot formation should have an INR of:
2.5-3.5
Why are D-dimer tests ordered?
To help rule out, diagnose, and monitor diseases (ex. DVT/PE) and conditions that cause hypercoagulability, a tendency to clot inappropriately
What does it mean if a patient has a positive D-dimer test?
Abnormally high level of fibrin degradation products in the body
What is generally the normal values of a D-dimer?
Less than 500 micrograms/liter fibrin equivalent units
What is the range for a normal platelet count?
150K-400K mm^3
What are some lab tests that may be ordered to determine renal function prior to receiving IV contrast?
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Creatinine
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
What kind of information does BUN provides?
The kidney’s ability to remove impurities from the blood
What is the typically accepted values for BUN range from?
5-25 mg/dl
What is the typically accepted values for creatinine range from?
0.6-1.7 mg/dl
What does the GFR determine?
The flow rate of filtered fluid through the kidney
What is the normal GFR range from?
95-120 mL/min/1.73m^2
what are some preparatory instructions may there be for a patient receiving a CT exam with contrast media?
Drinking oral contrast media
Fasting before the exam
Premedicating to minimize contrast reactions
What kind of medication should patients withhold from taking following the procedure?
Metformin (for 48 hrs)
What is the final step in the screening process of the patient?
If the patient can verify the reason for the CT exam
When might a patient be positioned in a prone fashion?
For coronal head studies
Most CT exams requiring IV contrast is usually administered at a rate of:
2-3 cc/sec (100-150 cc)