2-6.
ORDER OF PROCEDURE, STEP ONE: PATIENT PREPARATION
a. Checking the X-Ray Request Slip (SF 519B). To prepare the patient, you
must know who the patient is and why he has bean sent to the radiology department.
By checking the patient's SF 5198, you will be able to verify a number of things: the
patient's identity, the type of exam or X-ray required, whether or not artifacts will have to
be removed, whether gowning is necessary, whether a contrast medium such as barium
or conray is to be administered, and whether the exam was scheduled or not.
b. Removing Artifacts. Rings, wrist watches, necklaces, earrings hairpins,
dentures, and other such objects should always be removed from the area to be
examined. They should also be removed if there is a chance that they might project
later the region of interest. Anything that could obstruct the examination should be
removed. For example, when examining the skull, not only necklaces and earrings, but
dentures, removable bridgework, and hairpins should be removed. The removal of
artifacts is very important. If you should forget to remove a necklace before taking a
study of the chest (figure 2-3), you will have to repeat the exam, thus exposing the
patient to unnecessary additional radiation end delaying the overall operation of the
department, as you keep other patients waiting.
artifacts: anything not intended to be imaged on the radiograph other than the
anatomy of the patient.
Figure 2-3. By forgetting to have the patient remove her jewelry, the RT is responsible
for needless repeat exams
MD0961
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