c. Gowning and Draping. As far as possible, all clothing should be removed
from the part being examined. Generally, both male and female patients are asked to
don gowns for projections to the femur through the abdomen. For examinations
involving the thorax and neck, female patients should be instructed to put on a gown,
whereas male patients are simply told to remove their clothing from the waist up.
(However, male patients should be afforded the opportunity to put on a gown if they so
desire.) The opening of the gown is usually to the back with the tie string knots
loosened in the area of exposure.
d. Sheet for Lower Extremities. A sheet may be used to cover the patient's
lower extremities. The sheet should be loose enough to allow the area under
examination to be exposed without embarrassment to the patient. When changing the
patient's position (for example, from the supine to lateral position), you should help to
keep the gown closed and see that the sheet covers underlying parts. The patient
should never be exposed unnecessarily.
ORDER OF PROCEDURE, STEP 1
1. Verify patient identity.
2. Remove artifacts.
3. Gown and drape.
4. Cover with sheet, if applicable.
2-7.
ORDER OF PROCEDURE STEP 2: THE CONTROL PANEL
ORDER OF PROCEDURE
1. Prepare patient.
2. Adjust control panel.
3. Select table factors.
4. Position patient.
5. Take exposure.
a. Measuring the Body Part. Before setting technique factors on the control
panel, you need to measure the body part to be radiographed. A measuring device
known as a pair of calipers can be used to determine the thickness of the body part.
Thickness of the body part is important as it will determine the technique factors
required.
MD0961
2-6