VT Patient Care & Safety 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with a latex allergy is scheduled for a vascular ultrasound. Which action is most important before beginning the exam?
- Use only latex-free gloves and gel applicators (Correct answer)
- Administer antihistamines prophylactically
- Schedule the patient last to reduce cross-contamination
- Notify the radiologist and defer the exam
Correct answer: Use only latex-free gloves and gel applicators
Latex-free equipment must be used for all patient contact to prevent an allergic or anaphylactic reaction.
Question 2: During a lower extremity venous duplex exam, a patient reports sudden chest pain and shortness of breath. What should the vascular technologist do first?
- Complete the scan quickly to document DVT
- Stop the exam and activate the emergency response system (Correct answer)
- Reposition the patient and continue scanning
- Administer supplemental oxygen independently
Correct answer: Stop the exam and activate the emergency response system
Acute chest pain and dyspnea may indicate pulmonary embolism; immediate emergency activation takes priority over completing the scan.
Question 3: Which infection control measure is most effective in preventing healthcare-associated infections between vascular ultrasound patients?
- Wearing a surgical mask throughout each exam
- Cleaning the transducer with an approved disinfectant between patients (Correct answer)
- Using a new bottle of ultrasound gel for every patient
- Changing the exam table paper between patients
Correct answer: Cleaning the transducer with an approved disinfectant between patients
Transducer disinfection with an EPA-registered, intermediate-level disinfectant is the primary measure to prevent cross-contamination.
Question 4: A patient receiving anticoagulation therapy requires a compression maneuver during venous duplex imaging. What is the primary safety concern?
- The maneuver may dislodge a thrombus and cause embolism (Correct answer)
- Anticoagulants increase susceptibility to bruising from probe pressure
- Compression may interfere with Doppler signal accuracy
- The patient may experience vasovagal syncope
Correct answer: The maneuver may dislodge a thrombus and cause embolism
Aggressive compression over a suspected acute thrombus can dislodge it, potentially causing pulmonary embolism.
Question 5: Before performing a treadmill exercise test for arterial insufficiency evaluation, which patient history finding is an absolute contraindication?
- Mild intermittent claudication at 200 meters
- Recent myocardial infarction within the past 4 weeks (Correct answer)
- Controlled hypertension on medication
- Healed peripheral arterial bypass graft
Correct answer: Recent myocardial infarction within the past 4 weeks
Recent MI is an absolute contraindication to exercise stress testing due to the risk of fatal arrhythmia or reinfarction.
Question 6: What is the correct technique for transferring a non-ambulatory patient from a wheelchair to the ultrasound exam table?
- Have the patient slide across independently while the tech stabilizes the chair
- Use a proper two-person lift or a patient transfer device (Correct answer)
- Ask the patient to stand briefly then pivot onto the table
- Lift the patient under the arms from behind
Correct answer: Use a proper two-person lift or a patient transfer device
A two-person lift or mechanical transfer aid protects both the patient from falls and the technologist from musculoskeletal injury.
Question 7: A diabetic patient with an open foot wound is referred for lower extremity arterial duplex. Which precaution is most critical when positioning the limb?
- Avoid any probe pressure directly over the wound (Correct answer)
- Keep the limb in a dependent position to increase blood flow
- Apply a sterile dressing before and remove it after imaging
- Limit the exam to proximal vessels only
Correct answer: Avoid any probe pressure directly over the wound
Direct probe pressure on an open wound can cause pain, further tissue damage, and infection spread.
VT Patient Care & Safety 2
A patient with a latex allergy is scheduled for a vascular ultrasound.
Which action is most important before beginning the exam?