ARRT - American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Patient Care and Management Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient undergoing an IVU procedure begins to experience urticaria, wheezing, and throat tightness. What is the most appropriate initial action for the radiologic technologist to take?
- Administer oxygen and call for a nurse.
- Stop the infusion and call for immediate medical assistance. (Correct answer)
- Administer a dose of epinephrine from the emergency cart.
- Reassure the patient that these are common side effects.
Correct answer: Stop the infusion and call for immediate medical assistance.
The patient is exhibiting signs of a moderate to severe anaphylactic reaction to the contrast media. The first and most critical step is to stop the infusion of the contrast agent to prevent the reaction from worsening. Immediately after, the technologist must call for a physician or emergency response team.
Question 2: Which of the following vital signs for an adult patient at rest would be considered outside the normal range?
- Blood pressure of 118/78 mmHg
- Heart rate of 95 beats per minute
- Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- Oral temperature of 98.9°F (37.2°C)
Correct answer: Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute
The normal respiratory rate for a healthy adult at rest is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. A rate of 24 breaths per minute is elevated and may indicate a potential medical issue that requires further assessment.
Question 3: A radiographer is preparing for a sterile procedure, such as a myelogram. Which of the following actions demonstrates proper surgical aseptic technique?
- Placing the sterile tray near the edge of the table for easy access.
- Reaching over the sterile field to adjust the overhead light.
- Opening a sterile pack and letting the contents fall onto the sterile field without touching them. (Correct answer)
- Wearing a clean uniform and non-sterile gloves to arrange items on the tray.
Correct answer: Opening a sterile pack and letting the contents fall onto the sterile field without touching them.
Surgical asepsis aims to eliminate all microorganisms. When adding items to a sterile field, they should be opened and dropped onto the field from a safe height without the non-sterile outer wrapper or the person's hands coming into contact with the sterile surface. Reaching over a sterile field or placing items near the edge risks contamination.
Question 4: An 82-year-old female patient with limited mobility needs to be transferred from her wheelchair to the x-ray table for a hip examination. The patient is able to bear some weight on her legs. What is the most appropriate transfer method?
- A two-person lift with one person on each side.
- A hydraulic lift to ensure maximum safety.
- A stand-by assist transfer, allowing the patient to do most of the work.
- A pivot transfer with the technologist's assistance. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A pivot transfer with the technologist's assistance.
For a patient who can bear some weight, the pivot transfer is a safe and efficient method. The technologist positions the wheelchair parallel to the table, has the patient stand, pivot, and then sit on the table with guidance and support. This method utilizes the patient's own strength while ensuring safety.
Question 5: Regarding informed consent for an invasive imaging procedure, which of the following statements is true?
- The radiologic technologist is primarily responsible for obtaining the informed consent.
- Consent is considered valid as long as the patient signs the form, even if they have questions.
- Informed consent must be obtained after the procedure has been explained by the physician, including risks, benefits, and alternatives. (Correct answer)
- A signed consent form is valid indefinitely for any future procedures.
Correct answer: Informed consent must be obtained after the procedure has been explained by the physician, including risks, benefits, and alternatives.
The process of informed consent requires the physician performing the procedure to explain the details, including risks, benefits, and alternative options, to the patient. The patient must have the opportunity to ask questions and must be competent to make a voluntary decision before signing. The technologist typically acts as a witness to the signature, but does not obtain the consent.
Question 6: A patient is scheduled for an abdominal CT scan with IV contrast. The patient's lab results show a BUN of 25 mg/dL and a creatinine level of 2.0 mg/dL. What is the most appropriate course of action?
- Proceed with the exam as ordered.
- Alert the radiologist before administering contrast. (Correct answer)
- Administer a lower dose of the contrast agent.
- Encourage the patient to drink extra water before the scan.
Correct answer: Alert the radiologist before administering contrast.
Normal BUN levels are typically 7-20 mg/dL and normal creatinine is about 0.6-1.3 mg/dL. Elevated levels of BUN and creatinine can indicate renal insufficiency. Since iodinated contrast agents are excreted by the kidneys, administering them to a patient with poor renal function could cause further damage. Therefore, the radiologist must be notified to assess the risk versus benefit of the procedure.
ARRT - American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Patient Care and Management Questions and Answers
A patient undergoing an IVU procedure begins to experience urticaria, wheezing, and throat tightness.
What is the most appropriate initial action for the radiologic technologist to take?