Transcript X-Rays and Diagnostic Radiology

PowerPoint® to accompany
Medical Assisting
Chapter 53
Second Edition
Ramutkowski  Booth  Pugh  Thompson  Whicker
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.
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X rays and Diagnostic
Radiology
Objectives:
53-1 Define X rays and explain how they are used for
diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
53-2 Compare invasive and noninvasive diagnostic
procedures.
53-3 Discuss the medical assistant’s role in x-ray and
diagnostic radiology testing.
53-4 Describe the imaging process and uses of the
various types of X rays.
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X rays and
Diagnostic Radiology
Objectives:
53-5 Discuss the medical assistant’s duties in preparing
a patient for an X ray.
53-6 Explain the risks and safety precautions associated
with radiology work.
53-7 Describe proper procedures for filing and
maintaining x-ray films and records.
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Introduction

Diagnostic radiology
is a valuable tool for
physicians for
screening and
clinical diagnosis.

Safety issues, proper
handling, and storage
of the actual films are
discussed.
You will learn the basics of noninvasive and invasive
radiology and your role in this testing.
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Brief History of X ray



1895 - Wilhelm K
Roentgen
discovered X ray.
High energy level
of electromagnetic
waves traveling at
186,000 miles per
second that can
penetrate solids.
X ray reacts with
photographic film.
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Diagnostic Radiology


Tests sometimes use
contrast media.
Special techniques or
instruments for
viewing internal
structures and
functions.
Contrast medium –
 Substance that
makes internal
organs denser
 Blocks the passage of
X -rays to the
photographic film
Contrast media include gases, heavy metal salts (barium
sulfate or bismuth carbonate), and iodine compounds.
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Invasive Procedures



Requires a radiologist to insert a catheter,
wire, or other testing device into a blood
vessel or organ
Requires surgical aseptic techniques
For example, Angiography
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Noninvasive Procedures




Standard X rays or
ultrasound
View internal structure
Does not require
inserting devices,
breaking the skin, or
monitoring
Uses the conventional
x-ray machine or
specialized instruments
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Medical Assistant’s Role
 Assisting the radiologic technologist or
radiologist in performing diagnostic radiologic
procedure.
 You may be allowed to learn how to operate
rays.
X
 Provide preprocedure and post procedure care
of the patient.
 Explain the test to the patient.
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Preprocedure Care



Schedule
appointments
Provide preparation
instructions
Explain the
procedure
Ask pertinent questions. Obtain medication history. Ask
woman if she is pregnant or could be pregnant and report the
answers to the physician or radiologic technologist.
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During and After the X ray



Assist with placing,
removing, and
developing film
You should know the
positions but usually
do not put patient in
x-ray positions
Procedure 52-1
“Assisting with an
X-ray Examination”
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Apply Your Knowledge
What are noninvasive procedures ?
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Apply Your Knowledge -Answer
What are noninvasive procedures ?
Noninvasive procedures do not require inserting
devices, breaking the skin, or monitoring and uses
the conventional x-ray machine or specialized
instruments to visualize internal organs.
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Common Diagnostic Test
Contrast Media –visualized
body structures
Angiography
 Arthrography
 Barium enema and
swallow
 Cystography
 Myelography
 Retrograde pyelography

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Common Diagnostic Test


Fluoroscopy-certain
chemicals will become
fluorescent to view
internal organs.
Angiography –
invasive to assess the
vessel’s blood flow or
condition.


Arthrography – used to
diagnose abnormalities
or injuries in cartilage,
tendons, or ligaments.
Barium enema and
swallow – instills
barium to view
internal organs.
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Common Diagnostic Test


Cholecystography – detect gallstones or
gallbladder
Conventional tomography and computer
tomography – used to
diagnosis problems
in almost all of body
structures
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Common Diagnostic Test
(cont.)
 Heart X ray – shows configuration of the
heart and shows cardiac enlargement or
aortic dilation.
 Intravenous pyelography (IVP) – shows
how contrast medium travels through the
urinary system to detect problems.
 Retrograde pyelography – injects the
contrast medium through a urethral
catheter and is similar to IVP.
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Common Diagnostic Test
(cont.)



Kidneys, ureters, and bladder (KUB)
radiography – assesses the size, shape, and
position of urinary organs.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – uses
strong magnetic field to examine internal
structures and soft tissues.
Mammography – exams internal breast
tissues.
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Common Diagnostic Test
(cont.)
 Myelography – fluoroscopy of the spinal cord
used to evaluate spinal abnormalities.
 Nuclear medicine – use of radionuclides or
radioisotopes (radioactive elements or their
compounds) to evaluate internal organs.



SPECT
PET
MUGA
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Common Diagnostic Test
(cont.)



Stereoscopy – study of the skull with
specially designed microscope.
Thermography – diagnose breast tumors,
breast abscesses, and fibrocystic breast
disease.
Ultrasound – directs high-frequency sound
waves to produce an echo of the internal
organ.
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Common Therapeutic
Uses of Radiation


Used to treat cancer by preventing cellular
reproduction
Two types:



Teletherapy – allows deep penetration used for
deep tumors
Brachytherapy – places temporary radioactive
implants close to or directly into the cancerous
tissue
Take special precautions for radiation safety
when treating patients with brachytherapy
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Radiation Safety and Dose

Reducing Patient Exposure


Prevent serious general tissue damage by limiting
radiation dose to levels below known thresholds
To reduce the risk of cancer or genetic effects to a
level that is balanced by potential benefits
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Safety Precautions




Personnel safety
Adhere to guidelines,
must always wear a
radiation exposure badge
Make sure equipment is
working properly
Be sure others wear lead
shield when equipment is
operating
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Storing and Filing X rays





Keep fresh film on hand
Maintain new and exposed
film in good condition
between 50-700 and at 3050% humidity
Prevent pressure marks
Do not stack on top of each
other and use oldest film
first
Open all packages or boxes
in darkroom
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Apply Your Knowledge
What is an MRI?
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Apply Your Knowledge -Answer
What is an MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) – uses
strong magnetic field to examine internal
structures and soft tissues
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Summary
Medical Assistant
You will be asked to assist with patient care before
and sometimes during and after diagnostic
procedures.
Your responsibilities include explanations to
patients, preparing patients for various tests, and
assisting doctor or technician as need.
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End of Chapter
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