FREE X-Ray Patient Care and Positioning Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal when positioning a patient for an X-ray examination?
Proper patient positioning is essential to ensure that the X-ray beam targets the area of interest while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues. This helps reduce unnecessary radiation dose while achieving the best possible image quality.
Why is it important to explain the X-ray procedure to the patient before starting?
Explaining the procedure helps reduce anxiety, informs the patient about what to expect, and ensures they understand the positioning and movement restrictions during the procedure. This also helps prevent motion artifacts in the images.
What should be done if a patient is unable to hold a position during an X-ray exam?
Immobilization devices (such as straps, sandbags, or support cushions) are often used to help keep the patient still and maintain the proper position for the X-ray, ensuring accurate results and minimizing the need for retakes.
When performing an X-ray on a pregnant patient, what should be done to reduce risk to the fetus?
When imaging a pregnant patient, it's crucial to minimize radiation exposure, especially to the abdomen. The lowest possible radiation dose should be used, and the abdominal area should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. If possible, alternative imaging methods (like ultrasound) should be considered.
Which of the following is an appropriate response if a patient has difficulty holding their breath during a chest X-ray?
For chest X-rays, holding the breath during the exposure ensures that the lungs are fully expanded, which is necessary for a clear image. The patient should be instructed to take a deep breath and hold it to prevent blurring caused by movement during the procedure.