CAMRT - Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists Contrast Media and Pharmacology Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 68-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes is scheduled for a contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen.
The patient's medication list includes Metformin.
Their most recent lab results show an eGFR of 50 mL/min/1.73 m².
Based on the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) guidelines, what is the most appropriate action regarding the Metformin?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with the scan and instruct the patient to continue taking Metformin as prescribed.

Answer

Instruct the patient to stop taking Metformin 48 hours before the scan.

Answer

Administer a lower dose of contrast media and stop Metformin for 24 hours.

Answer

Consult the radiologist to consider an alternative imaging modality not requiring contrast.

Question 2

Which property of an iodinated contrast agent is the primary determinant of its potential to cause immediate, dose-dependent, non-allergic adverse effects such as a heat sensation, discomfort, and nausea?

Accepted Answer

Osmolality

Answer

Viscosity

Answer

Iodine concentration

Answer

pH level

Question 3

During a power injection of iodinated contrast for a CT scan, the patient complains of sudden, sharp pain and swelling at the IV site. The MRT immediately stops the injection and suspects extravasation. What is the most appropriate initial management step?

Accepted Answer

Elevate the affected limb and apply a cold compress.

Answer

Immediately apply a warm compress to the site to disperse the contrast.

Answer

Continue the injection at a slower rate while monitoring the site.

Answer

Remove the IV cannula and apply firm pressure to the site.

Question 4

A patient develops urticaria (hives), pruritus (itching), and mild bronchospasm minutes after receiving intravenous iodinated contrast media. This type of reaction is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

Idiosyncratic (Anaphylactoid)

Answer

Chemotoxic

Answer

Vasovagal

Answer

Pyrogenic

Question 5

A patient experiences a severe anaphylactoid reaction to contrast media, characterized by profound hypotension and severe bronchospasm. Which of the following is the first-line emergency medication that should be administered?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (Adrenaline)

Answer

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Answer

Atropine

Answer

Furosemide (Lasix)

Question 6

To minimize the risk of contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) in a high-risk outpatient, which of the following laboratory values is the most important to assess before administering intravenous iodinated contrast?

Accepted Answer

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)

Answer

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Answer

International Normalized Ratio (INR)

Answer

Hematocrit