Patient Considerations Flashcards
What patient preparation is required for x-rays?
-should be starved 12 hours prior
-should be allowed to urinate and defecate beforehand
-should have clean coat
-collars should be removed
What can poor patient positioning lead to?
-repeated exposures
-increased cost
-increased radiation levels
-missed or incorrect diagnosis
How can we minimise geometric distortion?
-objects are placed parallel with the film and perpendicular and central to the x-ray beam are displayed appropriately
How can we minimise the penumbra?
-penumbra is the outer shadow formed around an object
-causes blurring and loss of sharpness at the margins
-ensure patient is as close as possible to cassette with the smallest focal spot possible
Why is collimation important when taking x-rays?
-aids in radiation safety
-improves image quality by reducing scatter
-should be carried out to the area of interest only
What happens to the image if kV is too high or too low?
Too high = overexposed
Too low = underexposed
What happens to the image if mA is too high or too low?
Too high = radiograph will be dark
Too low = radiograph will be pale
What happens to the image if factors are too high or too low?
High factors = overexposed
Low factors = underexposed
What does under exposure of image mean?
Results in reduced image quality
What does over exposure of images mean?
Results in reduced image quality and an increased dose of radiation to the patient
What extra considerations must be taken for severely ill patients?
-is the patient stable enough for imaging
-must ensure vital signs are stable
-is oxygen or fluid therapy required
-crash box and et tube should be readily available
When should radiography be delayed?
-if animals condition could be made worse by radiograph
-if expected benefits of radiography do not exceed the risk
-if radiography would not change the course of treatment
-fasting not appropriate in anorexic patients
