Radiography

Body Ergonomics and Patient Transfer

Good body mechanics protect both patient and radiographer: keep a wide base of support, keep the load close to your body, bend at the hips and knees rather than the waist, avoid twisting, and push rather than pull. Assess each patient's ability to help, explain the transfer, and get enough help before starting.

Transfer	KeySteps
Wheelchairtotable	Lockthebrakes liftthefootrests placethechairatanangletothetablewiththepatient'sstronger , ,
	sideleading useagaitbelt andhavethepatientuseastepstoolonlyifsafe , ,
Stretchertotable	Lockboth placethemsidebysideatthesameheight useadrawsheetorslide(transfer)boardwith , ,
	enoughstaff andmovethepatientinonecoordinatedmotion ,
Suspectedspineinjury	Keep the patient immobilized; do not remove the cervical collar until cleared; use log-rolling with
	severalstaffandabackboardorslideboard
Dependentorheavypatient	Use safe patient handling devices such as a mechanical (Hoyer) lift air-assisted transfer mattress or , , ,
	slideboard ratherthanmanuallifting ,
allprevention:neverleavea	high -risk patient (sedated confused elderly pediatric) alone on the table; keep side rails , , ,
ponstretchers lockwheels andhelppatientsoffthetableslowly lettingthemsitforamomentfirsttoavoidorthostatic , , ,
ypotension Protectcomfort .	andmodestywithgowns sheets andacloseddoororcurtain andexposeonlythearea , , ,
eingexamined .
ssistingPatientsWithMedicalEquipment
Equipment	WhattheRadiographerMustDo
IVinfusionandpump	Keepthebagabout18–20inabovetheinsertionsite;avoidpullingorkinkingtubing;reportinfiltration
	(swelling coolness pain)anddonotadjustthepumprate , ,
Oxygen Urinarycatheter	Oxygen is a drug given by order; do not change the rate Nasal cannula about 1–6 L/min; simpl1e mask . about 6–10 L/min; nonrebreather about 10–15 L/min Use caution with high flows in COPD . Keepthedrainagebagbelowthebladdertopreventbackflow;donothangitonthetableorrailsthat willberaised

Fall prevention: never leave a high-risk patient (sedated, confused, elderly, pediatric) alone on the table; keep side rails up on stretchers, lock wheels, and help patients off the table slowly, letting them sit for a moment first to avoid orthostatic hypotension. Protect comfort and modesty with gowns, sheets, and a closed door or curtain, and expose only the area being examined.

Assisting Patients With Medical Equipment

Equipment	WhattheRadiographerMustDo
Nasogastricorenterictube	Donotdisconnectsuctionorfeedingwithoutanorder;keepthetubesecuredduringtransfers
Tracheostomy	Keeptheairwayclear;suctioningisdonebytrainedstaffusingsteriletechnique;ensurethepatient
	cancommunicate
Chesttube	Keepthedrainageunitbelowchestlevelandupright;neverclamporkinkthetube

Vital Signs and Physical Signs

Measurement	NormalAdultRange	Notes
Temperature(oral)	About 97 .7–99 .5 °F (average	Rectalreadingsarehigher axillarylower ,
	986°F/37°C) .
Pulse	60–100beats/min	Radialarterymostcommon;carotidinemergencies;apical
		with a stethoscope . Above 100 = tachycardia , below 60 =
		bradycardia Childrenandinfantshavefasterrates .
Respirations	12–20breaths/min	Count without telling the patient . Above 20 = tachypnea , below
		12=bradypnea;dyspneaisdifficultbreathing
Bloodpressure	Normalbelow120/80mmHg	Hypertensionfrom130/80;hypotensionbelowabout90/60 ,
		especiallywithsymptoms
Oxygen saturation (SpO 2)	95–100%	Below90%ishypoxemiaandneedspromptattention

Also watch physical signs: skin color (pallor, cyanosis), level of consciousness, motor control, and the severity of any injury. Report changes to the nurse or physician promptly and document them.

In any emergency, stay with the patient, call for help (activate the facility's emergency code), and begin care within your training. Know where the crash cart, oxygen, suction, and AED are. Basic life support certification is required of radiographers.

Cardiac or Respiratory Arrest

➜

➜

➜

Responsiveness and breathing;

Activate the emergency response

100–120/min, 2–2.4 in deep, full

Attach the AED as soon as it

pulse no more than 10 seconds

and get the AED

recoil; 30:2 with breaths

arrives and follow its prompts

For a choking adult who cannot speak or cough, give abdominal thrusts. Respiratory arrest (breathing stopped with a pulse) requires rescue breaths with a bag-valve mask.

Other Emergencies

Emergency	Signs	Radiographer'sResponse
Latex (non-contrast)	Hives itching wheezing swelling upto , , , ,	Removethelatexsource callforhelp monitor;use , ,
allergy	anaphylaxis	latex-free supplies for patients with a known allergy
		(schedulefirstintheday)
Anaphylaxis	Hives throattightness wheezing hypotension , , ,	Call a code; epinephrine is the first-line drug; oxygen;
	withtachycardia	keepsupinewithlegselevatedunlessbreathingis
		easiersitting
Shock	Tachycardia hypotension palecoolclammy , ,	Keepsupinewithlegselevatedifnocontraindication ,
	skin anxiety confusion , ,	keepwarm giveoxygenperorder callforhelp , ,
Syncope(fainting)	Pallor sweating lightheadedness brieflossof , , ,	Lowerthepatienttoasupinepositionwithlegs
	consciousness	elevated;protectfromfalling;checkvitalsigns
Hypoglycemia	Shaky sweaty pale confused tachycardic , , , , ,	Ifconsciousandabletoswallow giveoralglucose ,
	possiblycombative	(juice glucosegel);ifnot callforhelp(IVdextroseor , ,
		glucagon)
Hyperglycemia/	Thirst frequenturination fruitybreath deep , , ,	Call for medical help; fluids and insulin are physician-
ketoacidosis	rapid(Kussmaul)breathing confusion ,	directed
Seizure	Convulsions lossofconsciousness possible , ,	Protectthehead moveobjectsaway donotrestrain , , ,
	incontinence	putnothinginthemouth;timetheseizure;turnthe
		patientonthesideafterward
Stroke	Facedrooping Armweakness Speech , ,	Notethetimeofonset(criticalfortreatment) callfor ,
	difficulty(FAST);suddenheadacheorvision	help andkeepthepatientsafe ,
	loss
Traumaandheadinjury	Deformity bleeding changinglevelof , ,	Maintainspinalprecautions movethetubeandIR ,
	consciousness unequalpupils ,	ratherthanthepatient andreportchangesin ,
		consciousnessatonce

When an image shows a finding that needs urgent action, such as an unexpected pneumothorax, free intraperitoneal air, or a misplaced tube or line, the radiographer does not interpret or tell the patient the finding but communicates it promptly to the radiologist or responsible provider according to department policy and documents the communication.