CT lecture 5/29

What are the benefits of effective communication?

-Obtaining accurate medical history
-ensuring the pt understands what is expected
-improved pt safety
-improved exam quality
-improved pt retention

What are some barriers to communication?

-language, power struggles, misreading boy language, fuzzy transmission, receiver distortion, assumptions, preconceptions, past experiences, cultural differences

_______% of meanings comes from nonverbal cues

90

What are some forms of nonverbal communication?

visual, tactile, vocal, use of time and space, objects or values

Habits to avoid:

false reassurance, ignoring pt's wishes, assuming unresponsive pt can't hear, converting with coworker while pt is present, blaming the pt

Habits to adopt:

good listening, using focused questions, using pt's name, explaining before acting

What is some room prep?

sheet on table, contrast drawn, tube warm-up, shields

What kind of consent is needed for CT scans?

-informed consent prior to invasive procedure (biopsy, abscess drainage)
-simple/basic consent
-implied consent (pt is unconscious or is physically unable to consent)

Lab values:

-BUN: 7-25 mg/dL
-Serum creatinine: 0.6 to 1.7 mg/dL
-Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): >60
-PT: 11 to 14 seconds
-PTT: 25 to 35 sec
-platelet count: 150,000 to 400,000 mm3

What is pt immobilization used for?

-pt safety
-improve quality of exam
-explain to pt and family
-know rules

Assessment monitoring:

temp, pulse, BP, respiration

Adult pulse normal:

60 to 100 bpm

Child pulse normal:

95 to 110 bpm

Normal respiration for adults

14-20 breaths per minute

Blood pressure is written as:

systolic/diastolic

Normal blood pressure for adults

120/80 mm Hg

What type of contrast agents can we use?

intravascular
gastrointerinal
intrathcal

What is osmolality?

structural property of a liquid, # of particles in solution, per unit of liquid, compared to blood with a known osmolality

What is viscosity?

the resistance of a liquid to flow;
thickness or friction of a fluid as it flows

What affects viscosity?

-molecular structure (brand)
-temp
-concentration of iodine

What is ionicity?

will molecules in contrast agents separate into charged particles when dissolved in an aqueous solution

What is clearance?

excreted by the kidneys

what is the peak excretion time?

3 min

Dialysis before or after contrast injection in dialysis patients

after

What is contrast induced nephrotoxicity (CIN)?

decline in renal function

Most reactions happen within ?

5 minutes

Positive vs. negative in gastrointestinal contrast medium

negative- fatty milk, air
positive- barium and iodinated contrast agents

gastronintestinal contrast is used to

distinguish fluid filled loops of bowel from cyst, abscess