ARRT Patient Care and Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under HIPAA, a radiologic technologist may share a patient's imaging results with:
- The patient's employer upon request
- Another treating physician directly involved in the patient's care (Correct answer)
- A family member without the patient's consent
- An insurance company's marketing department
Correct answer: Another treating physician directly involved in the patient's care
HIPAA permits disclosure of protected health information to other treating providers for the purposes of treatment without additional patient authorization.
Question 2: A patient arrives for a pelvic X-ray and states they might be pregnant. The technologist should:
- Perform the exam and document the patient's uncertainty
- Cancel the exam and reschedule after a negative pregnancy test
- Consult the ordering physician and perform a pregnancy test if indicated before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Proceed only if the physician's order does not mention pregnancy precautions
Correct answer: Consult the ordering physician and perform a pregnancy test if indicated before proceeding
When pregnancy is uncertain, the technologist should notify the radiologist or ordering physician, and a urine or serum pregnancy test should be obtained before performing a pelvic exam.
Question 3: Which pulse site is BEST used when assessing circulation in the lower extremity of a trauma patient?
- Radial
- Brachial
- Dorsalis pedis (Correct answer)
- Carotid
Correct answer: Dorsalis pedis
The dorsalis pedis pulse on the dorsum of the foot is the standard site for assessing lower extremity circulation in trauma assessment.
Question 4: A patient receiving an IV contrast injection suddenly develops hives and itching without respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms. This MOST likely represents:
- Anaphylactic shock
- A mild allergic reaction (Correct answer)
- A vasovagal reaction
- Contrast extravasation
Correct answer: A mild allergic reaction
Urticaria and pruritus without systemic involvement (hypotension, bronchospasm) classify as a mild allergic reaction, typically managed with antihistamines.
Question 5: The correct way to verify a patient's identity before an imaging procedure is to:
- Ask 'Are you Mr. Smith?' and accept confirmation
- Check the room number against the schedule
- Use at least two patient identifiers such as name and date of birth (Correct answer)
- Verify the patient's face against the medical record photo
Correct answer: Use at least two patient identifiers such as name and date of birth
Two-identifier verification (e.g., full name and date of birth) is the Joint Commission standard to prevent wrong-patient errors.
Question 6: When a patient is positioned for imaging in Trendelenburg position, the head is:
- Elevated above the feet
- Level with the body
- Lower than the feet (Correct answer)
- Turned to the side at 45 degrees
Correct answer: Lower than the feet
Trendelenburg positioning places the patient supine with the head tilted downward and feet elevated, commonly used during hypotension or central line placement.
Question 7: A patient with latex allergy is scheduled for a fluoroscopic procedure. The technologist's PRIORITY action is to:
- Administer prophylactic antihistamines before the exam
- Remove all latex-containing items from the room and use latex-free supplies (Correct answer)
- Perform the exam quickly to minimize exposure
- Place an allergy band on the patient's wrist and proceed normally
Correct answer: Remove all latex-containing items from the room and use latex-free supplies
All latex products must be removed from the procedure environment and replaced with latex-free alternatives to prevent an allergic reaction in latex-sensitive patients.
ARRT Patient Care and Management 3
Under HIPAA, a radiologic technologist may share a patient's imaging results with: