Patient Care Flashcards
7 cards from real ARRT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Care flashcards as text
A patient receiving IV contrast media suddenly develops stridor and facial edema 5 minutes after injection. These findings are most consistent with:
Answer: Anaphylactoid reaction
Stridor (upper airway obstruction) and facial edema are hallmark signs of anaphylactoid reaction, requiring immediate epinephrine and airway management.
The standard hand hygiene recommendation after caring for a patient with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is:
Answer: Soap and water handwashing is required because alcohol does not kill C. diff spores
Alcohol-based sanitizers are ineffective against C. diff spores; soap and water must be used to mechanically remove the spores from the hands.
When preparing a sterile field for an interventional procedure, which action would contaminate the field?
Answer: Reaching across the sterile field with a non-sterile sleeve
Reaching a non-sterile sleeve or arm over the sterile field contaminates it because anything below the waist or any non-sterile surface passing over the field breaks sterility.
A patient asks the radiologic technologist about the radiation dose they will receive from a CT scan. The best response is to:
Answer: Provide a general explanation of the dose and the benefit-risk balance while referring detailed questions to the radiologist
Patients have the right to understand their radiation exposure; the technologist should provide a clear, honest explanation and involve the radiologist for detailed clinical questions.
Which of the following is the correct documentation entry after administering IV contrast?
Answer: Type of contrast, lot number, dose, route, rate, patient response, and technologist's signature
Complete contrast documentation must include the agent name, lot number, dose, route, rate of administration, patient response, and the administering technologist's identification.
A pediatric patient is uncooperative and crying during a radiographic exam. Which approach is most appropriate?
Answer: Speak calmly, involve the parent or guardian, and use age-appropriate distraction techniques before attempting immobilization
A calm approach with parental involvement and distraction is the least traumatic first step and often allows successful completion of the exam without restraint.
A patient's blood pressure reads 88/52 mmHg after contrast injection and they appear pale and diaphoretic. The technologist should suspect:
Answer: Hypotensive contrast reaction requiring immediate intervention
Hypotension (BP <90/60), pallor, and diaphoresis following contrast injection indicate a vasomotor or anaphylactoid reaction requiring immediate emergency response.