CRN key terms

The process in which a patient, given understandable information about a procedure's purpose, risks, benefits, and alternatives, voluntarily agrees to it. A qualified provider obtains it, and the nurse confirms and documents it before the procedure begins.

A legal document in which a person records preferences for future medical care or names someone to decide on their behalf if they become unable to speak for themselves. Nurses verify the document and relay its contents to the care team.

Federal regulations that protect individually identifiable health information and set limits on how and when it may be used or disclosed. In imaging areas it governs conversations, computer screens visible to the public, and release of images or reports.

An unexpected occurrence involving death, serious physical or psychological harm, or the risk of such harm, such as a wrong-site procedure or a retained object. It requires immediate containment, notification, and a formal system review.

A structured team review conducted after a serious adverse event that identifies underlying system failures rather than blaming individuals, then recommends corrective actions. It is a core quality improvement tool for preventing recurrence.

The duties and responsibilities a nurse is legally and professionally authorized to perform, based on licensure, education, competence, and facility policy. Nurses must recognize when a task requires additional training, delegation, or a provider's order.

A drug-induced state in which the patient responds purposefully to verbal commands or light touch and keeps a patent airway with adequate spontaneous breathing. Nurses monitor consciousness, ventilation, and oxygenation continuously until discharge criteria are met.

Leakage of contrast media or another infused substance out of a vein into surrounding soft tissue. Signs include swelling, pain, tightness, and redness at the site; the infusion is stopped and the area assessed and treated per protocol.

A rare, potentially disabling disorder in which fibrous tissue forms in skin and internal organs, associated with gadolinium exposure in people with severely reduced kidney function. Screening renal function before gadolinium administration is the main preventive measure.

An iodine-containing solution that makes blood vessels and organs visible on CT, angiography, and other studies. Its main risks are allergic-like reactions, kidney injury, and extravasation, so allergy and renal screening precede administration.

A paramagnetic compound injected during MRI to alter tissue signal and improve visualization. Before giving it, nurses verify the order, screen for kidney disease, pregnancy, and prior reactions, and confirm correct agent and dose.

A rapid, severe systemic hypersensitivity reaction causing airway swelling, bronchospasm, hives, and hypotension. In imaging areas it is treated urgently with epinephrine, oxygen, intravenous fluids, and airway support, using immediately available emergency equipment.

An oral diabetes medication sometimes temporarily withheld after iodinated contrast in patients with impaired kidney function because of a small risk of lactic acidosis. The radiologist and prescribing provider decide whether and when it is restarted.

A sudden decline in kidney function occurring within days of iodinated contrast administration after other causes are excluded. Prevention focuses on identifying at-risk patients, ensuring adequate hydration, and using the lowest effective contrast volume.

Practices that keep equipment and the procedural field free of all microorganisms, used for invasive radiologic procedures such as angiography, drain placement, and biopsy. It includes sterile drapes, caps, masks, sterile gowns, and gloves.

The body's process of stopping bleeding, and in radiology the manual or mechanical compression applied at a puncture site after catheter removal. Nurses monitor the site and distal pulses until bleeding has clearly stopped.

Systematic checking of a puncture site after angiography or another percutaneous procedure for bleeding, hematoma, bruising, bruit, or a pulsatile mass. An expanding hematoma, loss of distal pulse, or numbness requires immediate provider notification.

A calculated laboratory value that estimates how well the kidneys filter blood, derived from serum creatinine and patient factors such as age and sex. It is checked before contrast administration to identify patients needing precautions.

Verifying a patient with two independent identifiers, such as full name and date of birth, before any procedure, medication, or contrast administration. This core safety practice prevents errors involving the wrong person or record.

Restriction of food and fluid intake for a specified period before a procedure, intended to lower the risk of aspiration during sedation or certain contrast studies. Nurses confirm the last intake and report deviations to the provider.

Inhalation of stomach contents or secretions into the airway, which can cause airway blockage, chemical pneumonitis, or infection. Risk rises in sedated, obtunded, or recently fed patients, especially when positioned flat.

A noninvasive method of estimating arterial oxygen saturation by measuring light absorption through a probe on a finger or earlobe. It is used continuously during sedation and contrast procedures to detect falling oxygen levels early.

A patient's degree of alertness and responsiveness, ranging from fully alert to unresponsive. It is assessed before, during, and after sedation or invasive procedures because a change may signal hypoxia, bleeding, or other complications.

A brief, standardized pause just before a procedure in which the team verbally confirms patient identity, procedure, site, consent, allergies, and equipment. It prevents wrong-patient, wrong-site, and wrong-procedure errors.

An acronym for 'as low as reasonably achievable,' meaning radiation exposure to patients and staff should be minimized while still obtaining the needed diagnostic information. It guides shielding, collimation, positioning, and technique selection.

Aprons, thyroid collars, eyeglasses, and drapes made of lead or lead-equivalent material that absorb scattered radiation. They protect the patient's radiosensitive organs and the staff's trunk, thyroid, and eyes during fluoroscopy and portable imaging.

The maximum radiation exposure permitted for a radiation worker in a given period, set by regulatory guidance and tracked with a personal dosimeter. It is far below levels known to cause harm and is monitored cumulatively over a career.

A radiation injury such as skin reddening, hair loss, or tissue ulceration that appears only after a threshold dose is exceeded and worsens as dose increases. Prolonged fluoroscopic procedures can produce such skin effects, so dose tracking matters.

Four designated areas around an MRI scanner, ranging from freely accessible public space to the immediate magnet room, each with its own screening and access rules. They keep ferromagnetic objects and unscreened people away from the magnetic field.

Infection control practices applied to every patient regardless of diagnosis, including hand hygiene and use of gloves, gown, mask, and eye protection based on anticipated contact with blood or body fluids.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub at defined moments, such as before and after patient contact and after removing gloves. It is the single most effective measure for preventing healthcare-associated infections.

A structured evaluation of mobility, medications, cognition, continence, and fall history used to predict a patient's likelihood of falling. High-risk patients receive assisted transfers, locked bed brakes, and a call light within reach, especially after sedation.

A structured hand-off format covering situation, background, assessment, and recommendation. It helps nurses report a patient's condition concisely and completely to a provider or receiving unit, reducing omissions and misunderstandings.

A technique for confirming understanding in which the patient restates information or demonstrates a task in their own words, and the nurse re-teaches as needed. It is used for consent discussions, contrast precautions, and discharge instructions.

A person's capacity to find, understand, and use health information to make decisions. Nurses respond to limited literacy with plain language, pictures, brief focused messages, and confirmation of understanding.

The ability to recognize and respond respectfully to a patient's cultural values, beliefs, language, and health practices. It shapes communication, modesty and touch preferences, family involvement in decisions, and dietary or religious needs during procedures.

Purposeful, patient-centered interaction using active listening, open-ended questions, empathy, silence, and clarification to build trust and reduce distress. It is especially valuable before frightening procedures such as angiography, biopsy, or sedation induction.