Transcript CT Scan: What its used for

Ultrasound
What is an Ultrasound?
Quick diagnostic test done to examine the
inner body
 Commonly ultrasound uses sound wave to
depict soft tissue
 Most commonly this procedure is non-invasive
 The Doppler ultrasound is to used to measure
blood flow and pressure by using high
frequency sounds
 the ultrasound cannot see
all areas of the body
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How does it work?
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It makes detailed pictures of the internal
structures in the body by using the frequency of
the sound waves .
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Despite the minimal risks of this diagnostic
procedure the sound waves do not travel well
through bone or air.
The Ultrasound and Doppler
ultrasound
Nursing Implications
 There
are no special implications
for this test
 Inform the patient of why they need
this test and of what to expect
 Commonly takes 30min to 1 hour
 In some cases there are special procedures that
need to be done to ensure that the organ can be
seen well
 There is no special care that is needed after the
ultrasound is completed.
Who uses it?
 There
are multiple reasons to
have an ultrasound done some are:
Dx of gallbladder disease
 Guide a needle biopsy
 Dx certain forms of infection and cancer
 Evaluate abnormalities of the muscles and tendons
 Evaluate a fetus
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Pictures
X-RAY
What is it? What is it used for?
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Quick Painless
test using
radiation waves
Used to view the
structures inside
the body
How does it work?
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Small doses of radiation beams passed through
the body
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Absorbed differently in bone, air, fat, & muscle
Some use contrast
Multiple Views
Nursing Implications
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Prepare the patient for the x-ray
Informing them of possible position changes
Who it can & cannot be used on
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It is can be used
on all people
except Pregnant
women.
Pictures
CT Scan
Computed Tomography Scan
CT scan showing the liver
CT Scan: What is it?
A noninvasive medical procedure that helps
diagnose medical conditions
 In the past only seen through surgery or autopsy
 Internal organs,
bones, soft tissue and
blood vessels
 Greater clarity,
more detail
Than X-ray
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CT Scan: How does it work?
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2D cross sectional image
Electromagnetic energy from all angels
Different body parts absorb beams differently
Contrast material (dye)
enhances images
CT Scan: Used For
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Diagnose cancers, CV disease, infectious
disease, appendicitis, trauma and muscularskeletal disorders
CT scan: Equipment
Large box-like machine with
hole in the middle
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Pt. lies on narrow table that
slides in and out of this hole
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X-ray tube and electronic x-ray
detectors rotate around you (gantry)
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Computer processes the information and is operated by a
technologist who works scanners and monitors the exam
CT Scan: Nursing Interventions and
Client Teaching
Comfortable clothing (gown
may be provided
 Metal objects (jewellery, glasses, dentures, etc.)
 Fast from food or drink (especially if dyes are being
used)
 Allergies and medication
 Medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease,
thyroid problems, etc.)
 *Pregnant woman need to inform the physician prior to
the scan (or even the possibility of pregnancy)
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Nursing Interventions: Client
Teaching -During Procedure
 Fast,
easy and painless
 Mild sedative may be used (as
ordered by physician)
 Offer patient reassurance and
explain procedure
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Explain that the technologist can see, hear and
speak to them at all times
For pediatric patients, parents wear lead apron
CT Scan: Not for…
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Pregnant women
If dye is used, nursing mothers should wait 24h
before resuming feedings
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Allergies to iodine
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Limitations: a very large person may not fit in
the scanner and the table has a limit of 450 lbs
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CT of the Head
PET SCAN
What is a PET Scan?
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Positron Emission Tomography
A type of nuclear medicine imaging
 Non-invasive procedure
 Uses small amounts of radioactive
material to detect diseases
Locates abnormal metabolic activity
in the body
Measures body functions:
 Blood flow, O2 use, cellular
glucose metabolism
Shows how well organs and tissues
are functioning
PET/CT
Scan
How Does a PET Scan Work?
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Radiotracer FDG is injected
into a vein, swallowed, or
inhaled
Absorbed by the diseased
tissues/ organs in the body
Tracer gives of energy as
gamma rays which is detected
by the PET scanner as FDG is
broken down by cells
PET scan records this energy
that is emitted
FDG PET Scan
Lymphoma
The PET Scanner
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Has round hole in
middle, with short
tunnel
Pt. lies on narrow
exam table that
slides in and out of
tunnel
Imaging
information in
separate room
What is a PET Scan Used For?
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To detect
cancer/cancer spread
in the body/return of
cancer after Tx
Show blood flow to the
heart muscle
Show effects of an MI
on parts of the heart or
part requiring a
procedure
Evaluate brain
abnormalities/brain
function
May 2007
August 2007
Nursing Implications of PET Scan
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PET shows cellular glucose
uptake
Pt. not to eat, glucose level
below 150mg/dL
Glucose too high = scan
rescheduled
Diabetic Pts receive special
instructions re: glucose level
control
Ask Pt to remain calm, still, and
quiet during scan
Keep Pt warm
Assess Pt. For claustrophobia
Nursing Implications of PET Scan
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Teach your Pt:
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What the PET scan looks like
Fasting protocol specific to your
facility
Inform Pt. that scan will be
complete in 2hrs
Alert radiology staff if experiencing
hives, flushing, itching, difficulty
breathing during the scan
↑fluid intake after scan to flush
from body
Ask women if breastfeeding/could
be pregnant
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
More commonly known as the “MRI”
What Is An MRI?
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An MRI is a non invasive medical test that uses a magnetic field,
radio frequency pulses, and a computer to produce images of
your inner body (including bone, soft tissues, and organs)
MRIs can better evaluate the body in comparison to X Ray,
ultrasound, or CT Scans.
Roughly, about 20% of MRIs are ordered with contrast. MRI
contrast is used in specific circumstances and enhances the MRI
scan images. Dye may be used if there is:
History of tumor, cancer, or surgery
Looking for infection, inflammation, or cancer
Evaluating blood vessels
Investigate a finding on the pre-contrast part of the scan
How Does an MRI Work?
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The magnet aligns the hydrogen atoms’ protons
in our body.
They are exposed to radio waves creating a faint
picture.
The magnetic field is produced by passing
electricity through wire coils.
The photo produced is a thin slice, and can be
interpreted at different angles.
Nursing Implications
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Teach your patient about the MRI, including the
common feeling of claustrophobia inside the
machine.
Explain to patient they must stay very still and hold
their breath while images are being taken, or the
images will not be effective.
A mother who is given contrast dye may choose not
to breast feed for 24 hours after the scan, however
research suggests there will be no harm to the baby.
What Can An MRI Find?
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Tumours of the chest, abdomen or pelvis.
Certain types of heart problems.
Blockages or enlargements of blood vessels, including the aorta, renal arteries,
and arteries in the legs.
Diseases of the liver, such as cirrhosis, and that of other abdominal organs,
including the bile ducts, gallbladder, and pancreatic ducts.
Diseases of the small intestine, colon, and rectum
Cysts and solid tumours in the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract.
Tumours and other abnormalities of the reproductive organs (e.g., uterus,
ovaries, testicles, prostate).
Causes of pelvic pain in women, such as fibroids, endometriosis and
adenomyosis.
Suspected uterine congenital abnormalities in women undergoing evaluation
for infertility.
Breast cancer
Who Cannot Have An MRI?
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Patients cannot have halter monitors, telemetry units,
nerve stimulation units or a IV pump in the magnet
room.
No metal can enter the exam room, clothing with metal
snaps or pins should not be worn.
Heart pacemaker or pacing wires, cerebal aneurysm or
Swan Ganz catheter. Pregnancy is a contraindication
and will require patient consent for an MRI.
Photos of MRI’s
QUESTIONS?
References
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CT scan. (2010). Radiological Society of North America. Retrieved from http://www.radiology
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Harris, T. (2010). How CT scan works. Discovery Communications. Retrieved from
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http://blog.remakehealth.com/blog_Healthcare_Consumers-0/bid/6788/What-is-an-MRI-with-contrast-dye
Lippincott’s Nursing Center.com. Eye on Diagnostics: PET-CT Scans Can Improve Care for Patients with Cancer.
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http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodymr
MRI scan patient preparation. Retrieved Oct 3, 2010, from http://www.tdic.org/mri-patient-preperation.aspx
PET Scan Vancouver. PET Scan Information. http://www.petscan.ca/petinfo.htm