Transcript Document

Pearson's Comprehensive
Medical Assisting
Administrative and Clinical Competencies
Second Edition
CHAPTER
48
CHAPTER
Radiology
Lesson 2:
Diagnostic Imaging Procedures
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Lesson Objectives
Upon completion of this lesson, students
should be able to …
• Define and spell the terms to learn for this
chapter.
• Describe the process and medical use of
fluoroscopy.
• Discuss computerized tomography,
positron emission tomography, magnetic
resonance imaging, and ultrasound.
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Lesson Objectives
• Define and discuss the uses for radiology,
radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine.
• List four side effects of radiation therapy.
• Describe the safety precautions to take for
health care workers and patients relating
to X-ray procedures.
• Discuss the proper methods for storage of
X-ray materials.
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
General Categories of Diagnostic
Imaging
•
•
•
•
Invasive
Noninvasive
Procedures requiring contrast material
Procedures not requiring contrast material
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Methods of Administering
Contrast Media
•
•
•
•
Orally
Rectally
IV
Catheter
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Radiologic Imaging Procedures
Requiring Contrast Media
• Fluoroscopy
procedures
• Angiography
• Arthrography
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Fluoroscopy Procedures
• Visually examines a portion of the body or
the function of an organ using a
fluoroscope
• Allows the radiologist to have immediate
images
• Moving image that is seen on the
fluoroscope can be filmed using a
radiograph (X-ray) to obtain a permanent
record
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Fluoroscopy Procedures
• Contrast media are often used to better
visualize organ function and abnormalities
• Fluoroscopic procedures include the
gastrointestinal series, IVP+,
cholecystogram, and myelogram
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Gastrointestinal Series
• Fluoroscopic study
• Studies the digestive
tract
• Uses contrast media
• Can involve an upper
GI or lower GI
• Patient instructions
are important
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Instructions for Upper
GI Series
•
•
•
•
•
•
NPO after midnight
No smoking
Undress prior to procedure
Drink barium sulfate during procedure
Procedure can last several hours
Normal eating can be resumed after
procedure
• Drinking water after procedure important
• Stool may be chalky for a few days
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Instructions for Lower
GI Series
• Low-residue diet a few days before
• All-liquid diet the morning before
• Cathartic may need to be taken the day
before
• Undress for the procedure
• Enema or barium sulfate given and patient
retains during procedure
• Prior to end of procedure enema is expelled
and X-ray of empty bowel is taken
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Instructions for Lower
GI Series
• Regular diet can be resumed with lots of
water
• Whitish stools for 1 or 2 days
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
• Examination of the kidneys, ureters, and
bladder
• Procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes
• Iodine is used
• Low-residue diet and lots of water the day
before
• Patient on NPO after midnight
• Cathartic with enema the night before may
be ordered
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
• Patient undresses and IV of contrast
medium is given
• Urination and then one final X-ray may be
required
• Normal diet after exam with water
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Cholecystogram
• Examination of the gallbladder
• Requires contrast medium
• Utilized when ultrasound has not provided
a definitive diagnosis
• Fat-free meal the night before with
contrast medium pills
• NPO after midnight
• Patient undresses and X-ray is taken
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Cholecystogram
• Patient is then asked to eat a fatty meal
one hour later another X-ray is taken
• Diarrhea may occur after procedure
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Myelography
• Fluoroscopic procedure of the spinal cord
• Involves a lumbar puncture
• Used to detect compression of the spinal
cord or herniated disks
• Typically done if CT or MRI has not
provided enough detail
• Visualization of the cavities of the brain is
done through a pneumoencephalograph
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Pneumoencephalograph
• Performed by injecting air instead of
contrast media after some cerebral spinal
fluid has been removed
• Allows visualization of the cavities of the
brain
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Angiography
• Provides visualization of the internal
anatomy of blood vessels after a
radiopaque material has been injected into
the blood vessels
• Contrast medium is injected into an artery
or vein by way of a catheter and threaded
through the vessel until it reaches the
correct site
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Angiography
• Since iodine is used as the contrast
medium, the patient should be tested for
allergy to iodine before the procedure
begins
• The patient is monitored for a few hours
after the procedure for any signs of
bleeding from the puncture site
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Cardiac Catheterization
• Form of angiocardiography
• Frequently performed to assess the status
of the coronary arteries
• Catheter is inserted into the femoral artery
and fed through the arteries until it
reaches the heart
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Cardiac Catheterization
• If obstructions are discovered, therapeutic
interventions can take place, such as
balloon angioplasty or stent insertion, to
relieve blockage of coronary arteries
• These procedures are costly, carry risks,
and are not usually performed unless
other procedures have failed to provide
enough information
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Arthrography
• Used to produce an arthrogram or image
inside a joint
• Helps diagnose abnormalities of the joints,
tendons, ligaments, and cartilage of the
knee, hip, or shoulder
• Procedure involves injecting a local
anesthetic followed by contrast medium or
air or both into the joint
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Arthrography
• Fluoroscope is used to evaluate the
function of the joint
• Procedure usually takes about 1 hour and
the patient should be advised to expect
some slight discomfort and swelling for a
day or two
• Patient should be advised to rest the joint
during that time
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Procedures Not Requiring
Contrast Media
• Films of the:
– Abdomen
– Bones
– Chest
– Kidneys
– Ureters
– Bladder (KUB)
– Paranasal sinuses
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Mammography
• Radiology
examination of the
soft tissue of the
breast to provide
identification of
benign and malignant
neoplasms (tumors)
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Instructions for a
Mammography
• Due to the effects these products can
have on the clarity of the test, prior to the
procedure patients should be instructed
not to use
– Underarm deodorant
– Talcum powder
– Body lotion
– Perfume
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Mammography Procedure
• Patient stands in
front of the X-ray
equipment
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Mammography Procedure
• Technician positions the patient carefully to have
all breast tissue examined under X-ray
• Patient should be instructed to follow the
technician’s direction regarding placement of
hands, arms, and body position
• Patients of childbearing age are given a lead
apron to wear during the procedure
• Each breast is alternately compressed by the
equipment to spread the tissue for better viewing
• X-rays are directed at angles into the breast
tissue
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Mammography Procedure
• Procedure takes a
few seconds for each
view with the entire
procedure lasting
about 30 minutes
• Patients may feel
discomfort due to
pressure during the
breast compression
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Addressing Breast Lumps
• Women over the age of 40 are advised by
the American Cancer Society to have a
yearly mammogram for early detection of
breast cancer
• Many abnormalities detected on
mammograms are benign and present no
danger to the patient
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Addressing Breast Lumps
• If a lump is detected, the patient should
follow up immediately with further testing
and not wait to see if the lump disappears
over time
• Once a mammogram reveals suspicious
tissue, a breast biopsy should be done to
confirm the type of mass detected
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
• Less invasive and less painful than
previous types of biopsies
• Procedure is done with the patient lying
face down with the breast compressed
between two paddles with the suspicious
mass centered in the window of the paddle
• A computer determines the precise
positioning of the biopsy needle
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
• A small sample of cells is taken and sent
for review by a pathologist
• After the examination is complete, the
physician informs the patient of the
pathologist’s findings
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Tomography
• Allows for the penetration of dense areas
• Tomography produces tomograms
• Computed tomography produces CT
scans
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Computed Tomography (CT)
• Combines radiography with computer
analysis of tissue density
• X-ray camera rotates completely around
the patient and the computer accumulates
cross-sectional slices from each rotation of
the camera
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Computed Tomography (CT)
• CT scanner consists of a moveable table
with a remote control, the circular structure
or gantry that houses the X-ray equipment,
and an operator console with monitor and
computer equipment
• Ancillary software and hardware sort,
manage, retrieve, and store images
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Computed Tomography (CT)
• Procedure is painless,
noninvasive, and requires
no special preparation
• Patient lies on a narrow
table that slides into the
scanner
• Computer then calculates
various factors to detect
tissue masses, such as
tumors, bone
displacement, and fluid
accumulation
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Positron Emission Tomography
• Examines the metabolic activity of the body
• Patient injects or inhales a radioactive
substance
• Used to assist in treating conditions such as:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Epilepsy
Brain tumors
Stroke
Alzheimer’s disease
Blood flow
Metabolism of the heart and blood vessels
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI)
• Provides a visual
of internal tissues,
organs, and
structures
• Image is threedimensional
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• No ionizing radiation is used
• Hard portion of bone matter cannot be
viewed
• Cannot be used on patients who have
pacemakers or metallic clips on blood
vessels
• Functional MRIs allow for the observation
of organ functions
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
MRI
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Instructions for Magnetic
Resonance Imaging
• Remove all jewelry, eye shadow, and
metallic objects, such as watches, belts,
hearing aids, and hairpins
• Identify which devices, if any, have been
inserted within the patient’s body such as:
– Pacemakers
– Dental implants
– Surgical staples
– Intrauterine devices
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Instructions for Magnetic
Resonance Imaging
• Leave credit cards or devices, which
contain metallic or magnetic code strips
outside the MRI chamber
• Use patient gown if the patient’s clothing
has zippers or metal snaps
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Digital Radiology and Ultrasound
• Digital radiology
– Uses standard fluoroscopy
– Image is projected on a TV or video monitor
screen
– Digital angiography used for cardiac and
pulmonary arteries and head and neck
angiograms
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Digital Radiology and Ultrasound
• Ultrasound/sonography
– Uses high frequency waves to view internal
structures
– Applied in fetal monitoring and detecting
abnormalities of the heart, liver, kidneys,
thyroid, gonads, and blood vessels
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Ultrasound
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Preparation for the
Ultrasound Examination
• The patient should wear loose-fitting
garments or clothing that is easy to
remove since the procedure is performed
over bare skin
• During a fetal ultrasound or pelvic
ultrasound, the patient is instructed not to
urinate right before the test since a full
bladder displaces the intestines and allows
for a better view of the uterus
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Preparation for the
Ultrasound Examination
• The patient may be asked to drink a quart
or more of water just prior to either of
these examinations
• For an ultrasound of the gallbladder or
liver, the patient may be asked not to eat
for several hours before the procedure
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Patient Preparation for the
Ultrasound Examination
An ultrasound being performed on a patient.
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Radiation Therapy
• Uses radioactive substances to diagnosis
and treat diseases
• Uses a specific dose of radiation to kill
diseased cells
• Normal cells are altered but will naturally
repair
• Also known as:
– Cobalt treatment
– X-ray treatment
– Radiotherapy
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Types of Rays in Radiation
Therapy
• Alpha rays
– Least penetrating of the rays
– Positively charged with helium particles
• Beta rays
– Able to penetrate body tissues
– Negatively charged
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Types of Rays in Radiation
Therapy
• Gamma rays
– Are electromagnetic waves emitted by atoms
of radioactive elements as they undergo
disintegration
– Can penetrate most body tissue, but are
absorbed by lead
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Conditions Treated with
Radiation Therapy
•
•
•
•
•
•
Various types of cancers
Hodgkin’s disease
Wilms’ tumor
Retinoblastoma
Keloids
Malformed blood vessels in the brain
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Methods of Administering
Radiation
• External radiation therapy (ERT)
– Administering calculated doses of radiation to
a specific site
• Internal radiation therapy (IRT)
– Administering radiation through a sealed
container that houses radioactive material
– Administering radiation through a liquid form
via the patient’s mouth, bloodstream, or
instilling it into a body cavity
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Nuclear Medicine
• Uses radioactive
isotopes to treat and
diagnosis diseases
• Involves the use of
radioactive isotopes
of iodine, cobalt, and
other elements
• Also known as
radionuclide imaging
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Units of Radiation Dose
• Rad – Unit used to measure the amount of
ionizing radiation absorbed
• Rem – Unit used to measure occupational
exposure
• Units used to measure the effects of
radiation:
– Roentgen (R)
– Gray (Gy)
– Sievert (Sv)
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Effects of Overexposure to
Radiation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lowered red and white blood cell counts
Bone marrow alteration
Burns
Damage to ovaries and testes
Fetal damage
Cancer
Premature aging
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Primary and Secondary Radiation
• Primary radiation
– Strikes the patient for either therapeutic
reasons or for an X-ray examination
– Once the primary beam strikes the patient, it
can then become secondary radiation as it
bounces off the patient
• Secondary radiation
– Strongest closest to the patient
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Shields to Provide Protection
from Radiation
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Guidelines for Maintaining
Personnel Safety
• Wear film badge on outer clothing when
exposed to any form of X-rays
• Ensure badge is never covered
• Stay behind lead shield in a lead-lined
room when X-ray equipment is being used
• Note sign or lighted display regarding Xray in use
• Check equipment on a routine basis
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Guidelines for Maintaining
Personnel Safety
• Wear protective devices if in the room
when X-ray is being taken
• Have periodic testing to ensure no
presence of blood abnormalities from
radiation exposure
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Guidelines for Maintaining
Patient Safety
• Inquire if patient has recently been
exposed to X-rays
• Ask patient if she is possibly pregnant
• Advise patients, particularly females,
regarding radiation risks
• Place a lead shield over the abdominal
and reproductive organs in patients who
are of childbearing age or are pregnant,
and children
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Guidelines for Maintaining
Patient Safety
• Position patients to accurately obtain
image
• Only perform procedure if you are trained
and authorized
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Parts of Radiographic Equipment
Generic parts of radiographic equipment: (A) X-ray tube; (B) collimeter; (C)
radiographic table; (D) bucky tray for cassette and film; E) movable table.
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Processing X-Ray Film
• Film development takes place in the
darkroom
• Darkroom contains red or orange safe lights
• Darkroom should always be locked when film
is processing
• Film can be processed using either manual
and automated methods
• Automated processing can take 90 seconds
to 10 minutes depending on equipment
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Storage of X-ray Films
• Kept in containers that protect film from light,
heat, chemical fumes, and moisture
• Stored in a dry, cool place in a sealed
package
• Stored on end to prevent pressure damage
and where expiration dates can be viewed
• Films should only be touched with one hand
• Processed films should be stored in custom
envelopes and filed in film cabinets
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Ownership of Film
• Property of the medical facility or hospital that
performed the X-ray
• Written reports can be sent to other
physicians at patient’s request
• Films can be loaned to referring physicians if
necessary
• Films are a permanent record of the patient
• Copies can sometimes be purchased by the
patient
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.
Questions?
Pearson's Comprehensive Medical Assisting: Administrative and Clinical Competencies, 2/e
Beaman • Fleming-McPhillips • Routh • Gohsman • Reagan
Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458
All rights reserved.