ARRT RRA key terms

A patient's voluntary agreement to a procedure after receiving an explanation of its purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives. The radiographer confirms documentation exists but typically does not obtain consent for invasive procedures.

Verification that the correct patient is receiving the correct procedure, using at least two identifiers such as name and date of birth. It must be confirmed before every exam and before administering contrast or sedation.

A brief pause immediately before an invasive or high-risk procedure in which the team verbally confirms patient identity, procedure, site, and consent. It prevents wrong-patient and wrong-site errors.

A legal document stating a patient's wishes about medical treatment if they become unable to decide, including living wills and durable power of attorney. It guides care decisions during emergencies.

A physician's written order that CPR should not be attempted if the patient's heart or breathing stops. The radiographer must recognize and honor it during a patient emergency.

Sudden loss of effective heart function and breathing, producing unresponsiveness and absent pulse. The radiographer calls for help, starts CPR, and retrieves the emergency cart and AED.

A portable device that analyzes a cardiac rhythm and delivers a shock to treat certain lethal arrhythmias. It is used with CPR during cardiac arrest while awaiting advanced care.

A severe, rapidly progressing allergic reaction that can cause hives, airway swelling, wheezing, and dangerous drops in blood pressure. It is treated promptly with epinephrine and emergency support.

An adverse response to iodinated or other contrast material ranging from mild nausea or hives to severe breathing difficulty and shock. Prompt recognition and treatment determine the outcome.

Leakage of injected contrast or medication out of a vein into surrounding tissue, causing pain, swelling, and possible tissue damage. The injection is stopped and the area is assessed and documented.

Puncture of a vein to place a needle or catheter for injecting contrast or drawing blood. Correct technique, site selection, and aseptic practice reduce complications.

Measurements of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation that reflect a patient's physiologic status. They are monitored before, during, and after procedures when indicated.

A noninvasive method using light sensors on the finger or ear to estimate the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen. It helps detect hypoxemia during sedation or respiratory compromise.

A drop in blood pressure when a patient moves from lying to sitting or standing, causing dizziness or fainting. It is a fall risk after prolonged supine positioning or dehydration.

Measures such as lowering the table, using side rails, assisting ambulation, and keeping call buttons within reach to stop patients from falling. Falls are a common and preventable imaging department injury.

Moving a patient safely between a wheelchair, stretcher, and imaging table using proper body mechanics and adequate help. It protects both the patient and the radiographer from injury.

Practices that reduce the number and spread of microorganisms, including hand hygiene and clean technique. It applies to routine patient contact and equipment handling in imaging areas.

Infection-control practices applied to all patients, including hand hygiene, gloves, and barriers when contact with blood or body fluids is likely. They assume any body fluid may be infectious.

Techniques that keep an area and objects completely free of microorganisms, used for invasive procedures such as catheter placement or sterile field setup. Sterile technique differs from routine clean practice.

Use of devices such as sandbags, tape, or positioning aids to hold a patient still and maintain the required position. It reduces motion artifact and improves image quality.

Placing the patient and adjusting the tube and detector to demonstrate the required anatomy in a specific projection. Accurate positioning is essential for diagnostic images and radiation protection.

The reference posture with the body upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, and palms forward. Positional terminology such as medial, lateral, and proximal is based on it.

The central portion of the x-ray beam, directed to a specific point on the patient and used to align the part with the detector. Correct centering reduces distortion and improves image quality.

Orienting the x-ray beam perpendicular to the image receptor and centered on the anatomy of interest. Misalignment produces distortion and uneven exposure across the image.

Source-to-image receptor distance: the distance from the focal spot to the image receptor. It affects magnification and exposure, and is standardized for many exams to keep images consistent.

Enlargement of the imaged anatomy caused by divergence of the x-ray beam. It increases when the object is farther from the receptor or the source is closer to the object.

Misrepresentation of the true shape or size of anatomy on an image, caused by improper alignment, angulation, or object-receptor distance. It can make structures appear elongated or foreshortened.

Blurring or double images caused by patient, tube, or receptor movement during exposure. It is reduced by short exposure times, clear instructions, and immobilization.

A device of lead strips that absorbs scattered radiation before it reaches the image receptor, improving contrast. It is used with thicker body parts and requires correct distance and centering.

Loss of density across an image caused by improper grid use, such as wrong distance, off-center tube, or tube angulation. It appears as a gradual or sharp decrease in brightness.

X-rays that have been deflected and changed in direction within the patient, adding unwanted exposure and reducing image contrast. It is controlled with collimation, grids, and proper technique.

Restricting the x-ray beam to the area of interest with adjustable shutters. It reduces patient dose and scatter and improves image contrast.

The overall degree of blackening on a radiograph, controlled mainly by mAs. In digital imaging it relates to the amount of signal reaching the receptor.

The visible difference in brightness between adjacent areas of an image, affected by subject contrast, kVp, and scatter. Higher contrast shows fewer gray tones and sharper differences.

A numeric value displayed by digital systems that estimates how much radiation reached the receptor. It guides technique adjustment but is not a direct measure of patient dose.

As Low As Reasonably Achievable: the principle of minimizing radiation dose to patients and staff while obtaining needed diagnostic information. It guides technique selection and shielding decisions.

Any unwanted feature on an image that does not represent the patient's anatomy, such as scratches, clothing, or processing errors. Recognizing artifacts prevents misinterpretation.

Systematic review of an image for positioning, exposure, contrast, artifacts, and demonstration of required anatomy before accepting it. It determines whether a repeat exposure is needed.