Fundamentals of Nursing Q 296
Which of the following statements about chest X-rays is not true?
A. No contradictions exist for this test.
B. Before the procedure, the patient should remove all jewelry, metallic objects, and buttons above the waist.
C. A signed consent is not required.
D. Eating, drinking, and medications are allowed before this test.
Correct Answer: A. No contradictions exist for this test
Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy is the only contraindication for a chest X-ray. However, if a chest X-ray is necessary, the patient can wear a lead apron to protect the pelvic region from radiation. X-rays during pregnancy don’t increase the risk of miscarriage or cause problems in the unborn baby, such as birth defects and physical or mental development problems. However, if a pregnant woman has an X-ray and is exposed to radiation there is a very small increased risk that the baby may go on to develop cancer in childhood. This is why the dose of radiation used in an X-ray is always as low as possible.
Option B: Jewelry, metallic objects, and buttons would interfere with the X-ray and thus should not be worn above the waist. Metal appears as a bright area on an X-ray, blocking visibility of underlying structures. The reason you’re asked to remove metal is to give the radiologist an unobstructed view of the area of interest. Basically, you remove metal because it blocks anatomy.
Option C: A signed consent is not required because a chest X-ray is not an invasive examination. Consent is ensuring the patient is aware of the purpose and nature of any procedure to be carried out. The radiographer must ensure that the patient is fully aware of his/her options, including alternatives, the right to refuse and the consequences of refusal.
Option D: Eating, drinking, and medications are allowed because the X-ray is of the chest, not the abdominal region. To create a radiograph, a patient is positioned so that the part of the body being imaged is located between an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. When the machine is turned on, x-rays travel through the body and are absorbed in different amounts by different tissues, depending on the radiological density of the tissues they pass through.