Verify Patient And Orders - ARRT Radiography Exam

1. What should you do if a patient refuses the ordered examination after explanation?

   Stop and notify the radiologist/provider per policy. Notifying the provider respects patient autonomy and adheres to ethical guidelines while documenting refusal appropriately.

2. Which option must be confirmed for paired anatomy exams: laterality, height, or insurance status?

   Laterality. Confirming laterality is essential for paired anatomy to avoid imaging the incorrect side, unlike height or insurance which are irrelevant to exam accuracy.

3. Identify the unacceptable identifier that must not be used alone: room number, DOB, or MRN.

   Room number. Room number is unacceptable as it can change and does not uniquely identify the patient, while DOB and MRN are reliable identifiers.

4. What is the correct action if the order is unclear or uses a nonstandard abbreviation?

   Clarify the order before imaging. Clarification is required to avoid misinterpretation, ensuring patient safety and procedural accuracy in radiographic examinations.

5. What is the minimum number of patient identifiers required before imaging?

   At least two patient identifiers. Standard protocols mandate at least two identifiers to minimize the risk of patient misidentification and ensure safety in radiographic procedures.

6. What clinical information is most relevant to confirm for an extremity trauma exam?

   Mechanism of injury and exact pain location. This information guides optimal positioning and projections to capture relevant pathology in trauma cases effectively.

7. What is the correct action when the order is for the wrong body part compared with the patient complaint?

   Hold the exam and clarify the order with the provider. Clarifying with the provider prevents unnecessary radiation exposure and ensures the exam aligns with the clinical complaint for diagnostic relevance.

8. Find and correct the error: You used the room number and bed number as identifiers. What should you use instead?

   Use two unique identifiers such as name and DOB or MRN. Unique patient-specific identifiers are mandated for accuracy, as location-based ones like room or bed numbers are unreliable and changeable.

9. Which option is an acceptable second identifier: date of birth, room number, or exam type?

   Date of birth. Date of birth is a stable and unique secondary identifier, unlike room number or exam type which can vary and are not patient-specific.

10. What must be verified before any exam that could involve ionizing radiation to the pelvis in a person of childbearing potential?

    Pregnancy status per facility policy. Screening protects potential fetuses from ionizing radiation risks, following ALARA principles and facility protocols.

11. What is the required action if the wristband and the verbal identifiers do not match?

    Stop and resolve the discrepancy before imaging. Resolving discrepancies prevents potential harm from misidentification, aligning with patient safety standards in radiography.

12. Find the error: You verified only the patient name because the patient was in a hurry. What must be corrected?

    Use two identifiers; add DOB or MRN before imaging. Two identifiers are required by safety standards to prevent misidentification, even under time constraints.

13. Find and correct the error: Order says "left wrist," but the patient points to the right wrist. What is the correct next step?

    Stop and clarify laterality/order before imaging. Clarification resolves potential ordering errors, ensuring the correct side is imaged to avoid diagnostic inaccuracies.

14. Which option is the correct response when pregnancy status is uncertain and the exam is not emergent?

    Delay and follow the pregnancy screening protocol. Delaying non-emergent exams allows for proper pregnancy confirmation, prioritizing fetal safety under radiation protection guidelines.

15. What must you verify on the order before performing any radiographic examination?

    Correct patient, exam/projection, and laterality. Verification ensures the procedure matches the patient's needs, preventing errors in imaging the wrong patient, exam, or side.

16. Identify the correct action when an unconscious patient arrives without an ID band for imaging.

    Do not image until positive ID is established per policy. Establishing positive identification is mandatory to avoid errors, complying with safety standards for vulnerable patients.

17. What is the best method to confirm identity in an alert patient before imaging?

    Have the patient state full name and date of birth. Active verbal confirmation from the patient enhances accuracy and reduces errors compared to passive methods like checking wristbands alone.

18. What is the correct action if the patient name differs slightly between the order and wristband (for example, nickname)?

    Verify with a second identifier and correct the record before imaging. Using a second identifier confirms identity despite minor discrepancies, and record correction maintains accuracy in patient documentation.

19. Identify the correct action: The order is "CXR," but the indication is abdominal pain. What should you do before imaging?

    Clarify the order/indication with the provider before imaging. Provider clarification ensures the exam matches the indication, preventing inappropriate imaging and unnecessary radiation.

20. Identify the key reason to verify clinical indications before imaging: dose reduction or billing accuracy?

    Dose reduction through appropriate imaging. Verification ensures the exam is justified, minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure rather than focusing solely on administrative aspects like billing.

21. Which option is an acceptable patient identifier for exam verification: name, room number, or diagnosis?

    Name. Patient name serves as a primary unique identifier, whereas room number and diagnosis are unreliable due to potential changes or lack of specificity.

22. What is the correct action if the clinical history does not support the ordered exam?

    Clarify indication and exam choice before imaging. Clarification ensures the exam is appropriate and justified, reducing risks of unnecessary radiation and improving diagnostic outcomes.

23. Which option best confirms identity for a nonverbal patient: ask a family member only or match band to chart and staff confirmation?

    Match band to chart and obtain staff confirmation per policy. Matching to chart and staff confirmation provides reliable verification, superior to family input alone which may be subjective or inaccurate.

24. What must be verified before administering iodinated contrast for a CT or angio-related study?

    Allergy history and renal function status per protocol. These checks are critical to prevent adverse reactions like anaphylaxis or contrast-induced nephropathy in contrast-enhanced studies.

25. What must be verified regarding prior imaging before repeating an exam for the same indication?

    Whether recent relevant images already answer the question. Checking priors prevents redundant radiation exposure by ensuring new imaging is necessary for the clinical question.

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