Diagnostic Procedures & Interpretation Flashcards

Which patient condition is a common contraindication that must be flagged before scheduling an MRI?

Answer: Implanted pacemaker that is not MRI-conditional

MRI uses strong magnetic fields that can interfere with non-MRI-conditional pacemakers and other metal implants.

A patient is ordered an abdominal ultrasound, a barium enema, and an upper GI series. Which should usually be scheduled first?

Answer: Abdominal ultrasound

Barium left in the bowel blocks sound waves, so the ultrasound is done before any barium study.

Before a CT scan with iodinated contrast, which lab results are commonly checked?

Answer: BUN and creatinine

Iodinated contrast can harm the kidneys, so kidney function (BUN/creatinine) is checked first.

Which allergy should the HUC verify and communicate before a contrast imaging study?

Answer: Iodine or contrast dye

A history of reaction to iodine or contrast media raises the risk of a contrast reaction and may require premedication.

A bone scan using a radioactive tracer is performed by which department?

Answer: Nuclear medicine

Nuclear medicine performs scans that use radioactive isotopes, such as bone scans.

A KUB order refers to an x-ray of which structures?

Answer: Kidneys, ureters, bladder

A KUB is a plain abdominal x-ray of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

An echocardiogram creates images of the heart using which technology?

Answer: Ultrasound waves

An echocardiogram uses ultrasound waves to show heart structure and motion.