Standard

Posted: 03/12/08

R State Standard £ Institutionally Developed College: N/A

RAD 134 - Clinical Radiography III

Course Description

Provides students with continued hospital setting work experience. Students improve skills in executing procedures introduced in Radiographic Procedures and practiced in previous clinicals. Topics include: equipment utilization; exposure techniques; participation in and/or observation of gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU), and biliary system procedures; and participation in and/or observation of cranial and facial radiography. Execution of radiographic procedures will be conducted under direct and indirect supervision.

Competency Areas	Hours
Equipment Utilization	Class	0
Exposure Techniques	D. Lab	0
Participation in and/or Observation of Gastrointestinal (GI), Genitourinary (GU), and Biliary System Procedures	P. Lab/O.B.I.	21
Participation in and/or Observation of Cranial and Facial Radiography	Credit	7

Prerequisite:	RAD 101
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will be able to:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
EQUIPMENT UTILIZATION		0	0	45
Equipment inspection	Perform safety checks of radiographic equipment and accessories (e.g., lead aprons and gloves, collimator accuracy).
	Recognize malfunctions in the radiographic unit (including table, tube, and accessories).
	Note difficulties experienced which might assist in locating the cause of the malfunction.
	Report malfunctions in the radiographic unit (including table, tube, and accessories).
	Inspect and clean screens and cassettes regularly to identify and remove causes of artifacts.
	Perform "start up" and/or "shutdown" procedures on the automatic processor (e.g., adjust water, removal and cleaning of "cross-over" bars).
	Recognize malfunctions in the automatic processor.
	Note difficulties experienced which might assist in locating the cause of the malfunction.
	Report malfunctions in the automatic processor.
	Monitor the performance of the automatic processor using sensitometry.
	Clean, wash, disinfect, and/or sterilize facilities and equipment (e.g., cassettes, tabletops) and dispose of contaminated items in preparation for the next examination.
X-ray tube warm-up	Warm-up the x-ray tube to achieve proper operating conditions by following the manufacturer's prescribed sequence of steps.
EXPOSURE TECHNIQUES		0	0	55
Film storage and processing	Store film/cassette in a manner which will reduce the possibility of accidentally exposing or re-exposing film.
	Imprint proper identification information onto film using either the radiographic, photographic, or light imprinter method.
	Process exposed film by unloading the cassette and feeding it into the automatic processor.
	Reload cassettes by selecting film of proper size and type.
	Record required information on the request form following performance of examination (may include technologist identification, patient data, billing codes, number and size of films, technique, or other information as required by department protocol).
	Combine radiographic requisition and radiographs for interpretation and filing.
Technique development	Determine appropriate exposure factors using calipers, technique charts, and tube rating charts for guidance.
	Modify exposure factors for circumstances such as voluntary and involuntary motion, plaster casts, pathological conditions, and/or patient's inability to cooperate.
	Restrict beam to limit exposure to area of interest and to improve image quality.
	Determine appropriate exposure factors using calipers, technique charts, and tube rating charts for guidance.
	Modify exposure factors for circumstances such as voluntary and involuntary motion, plaster casts, pathological conditions, and/or patient's inability to cooperate.
	Restrict beam to limit exposure to area of interest and to improve image quality.
	Set kVp, mA, and time or automated exposure system to achieve optimum image quality, safe operating conditions, and to minimize radiation exposure.
Technique evaluation	Evaluate radiographs using a view box to make certain that radiographs contain proper identification and are of diagnostic quality.
	Determine corrective measures if radiograph is not of diagnostic quality.
PARTICIPATION IN AND/OR OBSERVATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL (GI), GENITOURINARY (GU), AND BILIARY SYSTEM PROCEDURES		0	0	55
Gastrointestinal system	Observe and/or participate in patient preparation procedures for radiographic/fluoroscopic examinations of the gastrointestinal system.
	Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the gastrointestinal system.
	Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures of the gastrointestinal system.
	Evaluate the quality of radiographs and photospots of the gastrointestinal system in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures revealed.
	Identify the special considerations for gastrointestinal procedures relating to the avoidance of repeated procedures.
	Observe and/or participate in the identification of and care for acute reactions to contrast media.
Genitourinary procedures	Participate in and/or observe patient preparation procedures for radiographic/fluoroscopic examinations of the genitourinary system.
	Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the genitourinary system.
	Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the genitourinary system.
	Evaluate the quality of radiographs and photospots of the genitourinary system in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures revealed.
	Identify the special considerations for genitourinary procedures relating to the avoidance of repeated procedures.
	Observe and/or participate in the identification of and care for acute reactions to contrast media.
Biliary system	Observe and or participate in patient preparation procedures for radiographic/fluoroscopic examinations of the biliary system.
	Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the biliary system.
	Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic/fluoroscopic procedures involving the biliary system.
	Evaluate the quality of radiographs and photospots of the biliary system in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures revealed.
	Identify the special considerations for biliary system procedures relating to the avoidance of repeated procedures.
	Observe and/or participate in the identification of and care for acute reactions to contrast media.
PARTICIPATION IN AND/OR OBSERVATION OF CRANIAL AND FACIAL RADIOGRAPHY		0	0	55
Cranial procedures	Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving the cranium.
	Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving cranial procedures.
	Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of cranial radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.
Facial procedures	Observe and/or participate in the positioning of patients undergoing routine radiographic procedures involving facial structures.
	Observe and/or participate in routine radiographic procedures involving facial structures.
	Observe and/or participate in the evaluation of facial radiographs in terms of positioning accuracy, image quality, and anatomical structures visualized.
Competency completion evaluation	Evaluate the number, types, and degree to which clinical competencies have been completed and mastered.
Competency completion planning	Develop a plan in conjunction with on-site clinical supervisors and technical institute faculty to outline future completion and mastery of clinical competencies contained in this course.
Continuing education/ independent study	Identify an area of concern or interest related to the content of this clinical experience, and research, review a publication, or otherwise explore this topic to personal satisfaction.

Suggested Resources

Adler, Arlene and Carlton, Richard. Introduction to Radiography and Patient Care. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders.

Ballinger, P. W. (2003). Merrill’s Atlas of Radiographic Positions and Radiographic Procedures (10^th ed). St. Louis: Mosby.

Bontrager, K. (2001). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning and Related Anatomy. St. Louis: Mosby.

Ehrlich, R. A., et al. (2004). Patient Care in Radiography (6^th ed). St. Louis: Mosby. Note:

Greathouse, Joanne. Delmar’s Radiographic Positioning and Procedures. Albany, NY: Delmar.

Torres, L .S. (2003). Basic Medical Techniques and Patient Care in Imaging Technology (6^th ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott.