10091153Diagnostic Imaging
Course Information
Description
Explores concepts in veterinary radiology, electrocardiography, ultrasound, endoscopy and other special imaging procedures and technologies.
Total Credits
3

Course Competencies
  1. Use recommended radiographic safety measures
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    through actual performance of radiographic exposures
    Criteria
    you wear radiation monitoring badge and appropriate protective apparel while exposing radiographs inside the x-ray room
    you wear radiation monitoring badge and turn "In Use" light on while exposing radiographs outside the x-ray room
    you use chemical and mechanical restraints for patient positioning
    you collimate the x-ray primary beam to the field of interest
    you keep body parts out of primary beam and look away when exposing radiographs if hand-holding
    you safely mix processing chemicals

  2. Label x-ray machine components and describe their function
    Assessment Strategies
    in lecture
    through successsful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you complete assigned readings and worksheets
    you can identify relevant x-ray machine components on an exam or quiz
    you can explain how each x-ray machine component works on an exam or quiz
    you can identify the metal composition of the anode and cathode

  3. Create and use radiographic technique charts
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by creating technique charts for all required anatomic areas
    by using the technique charts to obtain properly exposed radiographs
    Criteria
    you measure the patient and read the calipers correctly
    you use appropriate formulas to calculate exposure values
    you obtain a variety of exposures for each anatomical area and choose the best one
    you record exposure settings of best quality exposure on technique chart and complete the chart
    you use the created technique chart to obtain quality radiographic exposures

  4. Troubleshoot radiographic exposure quality
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    through successful completion of laboratory exam or quiz
    Criteria
    you interpret radiographic exposure using logical rationale
    you determine whether the radiograph was properly processed
    you determine if radiographic artifacts affect the quality of the radiograph
    you determine if correct exposure settings were selected and set properly for the exposure
    you use all processing and exposure information to determine how to improve radiographic quality
    you calculate new exposure settings correctly and/or correct the processing error
    you explain how the changes will improve the radiograph

  5. Create diagnostic quality radiographs
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by obtaining diagnostic quality project radiographs
    Criteria
    Project radiographs contain properly positioned patients and correct views
    Project radiographs contain properly centered field of interest and patients
    Project radiographs are properly collimated
    Project radiographs are labeled correctly
    Project radiographs are of diagnostic quality contrast and density with sufficient detail
    Project radiographs contain no processing errors or artifacts

  6. Automatically process radiographs
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by successful submission of properly processed project radiographs
    Criteria
    Project radiographs are properly processed and dried in a darkroom using only red light
    Project radiographs contain no processing artifacts
    Project radiographs contain no chemical errors
    Project radiographs contain no wrinkles, tears, roller marks or other mechanical defects

  7. Describe the procedure for hand processing radiographs
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    through successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you identify materials used in hand processing
    you identify and explain the function of processing chemicals
    you correctly determine processing times by reading developer temperature
    you explain how to process film in the proper tank for the proper time and then dry it
    you explain proper lighting and darkroom set-up required to hand process radiographs

  8. Use both stationary and portable x-ray machines
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by taking quality radiographic exposures using both types of x-ray machines
    by successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you set machine exposure settings and push exposure button correctly
    you set the correct source-image distance, collimation and x-ray tube angle
    you attach portable machines to x-ray stands correctly and operate the height switch
    you correctly position x-ray cassettes for required views

  9. Differentiate between different types of image receptors
    Assessment Strategies
    in lecture
    by successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you identify each x-ray cassette, film and intensifying screen component
    you describe the function of each x-ray cassette, film and intensifying screen component
    you analyze factors affecting film and screen speed and the type most commonly used in veterinary medicine

  10. Analyze the process of x-ray production
    Assessment Strategies
    in lecture
    successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you acquire knowledge of basic electromagnetic radiation principles
    you analyze physical properties of x-rays
    you logically explain x-ray production from source to latent image

  11. Interpret the effects of ionizing radiation on the body
    Assessment Strategies
    in lecture
    by successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you determine which cells of the body are most sensitive to radiation
    you differentiate the effects radiation can have on living cells
    you use correct terminology in explaining the two major types of biologic damage from radiation
    you determine who can and cannot assist with radiography and what is their maximum permissible dose
    you can define and explain radiation terms and radiation exposure units
    you explain ways to reduce personnel exposure to radiation

  12. Care for radiographic, ultrasonographic and endoscopic equipment
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by instructor inspection of cleaned equipment at the completion of lab
    Criteria
    you clean x-ray cassettes properly
    you clean x-ray table surface and leave radiology room clean and orderly
    you clean ultrasound transducer, use machine in clean environment, and maintain a darkened room
    you understand concepts of cleaning endoscopic equipment

  13. Use contrast media
    Assessment Strategies
    in diagnostic imaging lab and in lecture
    by administering contrast media to patient and taking sequential timed x-rays
    by successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you adminster contrast agent to patient using correct dose and route
    you take radiographs at the proper time
    you label the radiographs properly, especially the time of the exposure
    you interpret type of contrast used according to appearance of media on developed film
    you identify different types of contrast studies
    you identify different types and use of contrast media

  14. Make and measure ECG tracings
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    through actual performance of ECG tracing and interpretation for ECG project
    Criteria
    ECG Project used correct lead attachment to patient
    ECG Project used correct machine settings for patient species
    ECG Project utilized correct use of the ECG machine controls
    ECG Project positioned the patient properly
    ECG Project contains six diagnostic quality ECG lead tracings without artifacts
    Required ECG heart rate calculations are done correctly and compared to normals

  15. Interpret ECG tracings
    Assessment Strategies
    in lecture
    by successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you identify parts of ECG tracing
    you understand Rule of Current Flow
    you understand Lead Polarity and can identify the positive and negative poles of Lead II
    you correlate activity on ECG tracing with cardiac electrical activity, function and muscle mass size
    you recognize variations of normal sinus rhythms
    you recognize common ECG tracing artifacts
    you recognize common arrhythmias associated with cardiac arrest

  16. Use ultrasonography equipment
    Assessment Strategies
    in diagnostic imaging lab and lecture
    by observing an ultrasound demonstration
    by successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you properly set-up ultrasound machine
    you clip and prep the appropriate patient area
    you restrain patient properly for ultrasound examination
    you differentiate between types of ultrasound scanners and probes
    you identify areas of varying echogenicity using appropriate terms
    you describe basic ultrasound machine function
    you correctly define common ultrasound terminolgy
    you identify and describe common sonographic artifacts

  17. Perform venipuncture for blood sampling
    Assessment Strategies
    in diagnostic imaging lab
    by documented completion of venipuncture skills on skill sheet
    Criteria
    you draw required volume of blood from canine and feline cephalic veins using syringe and needle or vacutainer
    you draw required volume of blood from canine and feline jugular veins using syringe and needle or vacutainer
    you draw required volume of blood from canine saphenous and feline medial femoral veins using syringe and needle or vacutainer

  18. Perform parenteral injections
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by documented completion of IV injection skills on skill sheet
    Criteria
    you successfully inject total syringe volume of medication into canine and feline cephalic veins
    you successfully inject total syringe volume of medication into canine saphenous and feline medial femoral veins

  19. Perform gastric intubation
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by successfully passing a gastric tube into the canine stomach
    Criteria
    you gather all supplies prior to the procedure
    you properly premeasure the stomach tube for appropriate length and mark it at the stop position
    you correctly insert the mouth speculum and are able to hold the speculum in place
    you lubricate stomach tube and pass it through the mouth speculum, pharynx, esophagus and stomach, stopping at the appropriate point
    you check for correct tube placement prior to administering medication
    you administer medication and seal tube prior to withdrawing it from the patient

  20. Perform routine record-keeping
    Assessment Strategies
    in diagnostic imaging lab
    when all medical records and forms are checked by Instructor for proper completion
    Criteria
    you correctly complete the physical exam form in a timely manner
    you enter all required information into the patient medical record
    you place "in class" card on animal's home cage
    you correctly complete premedication, anesthetic monitoring and recovery forms
    you record x-ray machine settings in the radiology log for project patients

  21. Perform cystocentesis
    Assessment Strategies
    in diagnostic imaging lab
    by successfully obtaining a cystocentesis sample from a canine or feline
    Criteria
    you gather all supplies prior to attempting procedure
    you restrain and position patient properly
    you clean centesis site with alcohol, being careful to wipe away excess alcohol
    you use aseptic technique
    you use proper hand technique for obtaining centesis sample

  22. Apply topical ophthalmic medications
    Assessment Strategies
    in diagnostic imaging lab
    by successful performance of topical medication application to the eye documented on skill sheet
    Criteria
    you gather all supplies prior to attempting procedure
    you irrigate corneal surface and clean surrounding eyelids and skin
    you topically apply proper amount of medication using proper technique
    you wait 1 minute between applications of multiple medications, applying solutions before ointments

  23. Perform fluorescein corneal stain
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by successfully applying fluorescein dye to the cornea and documentation on skill sheet
    Criteria
    you gather all supplies prior to attempting procedure
    you correctly prepare the fluoroscein dye
    you properly apply the dye to the surface of the cornea
    you observe cornea in darkened room using ophthalmoscope

  24. Perform Schirmer Tear Test
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by successful performance of the Schirmer Tear Test and documentation on skill sheet
    Criteria
    you gather all supplies prior to attempting the procedure
    you perform the STT prior to other ophthalmic manipulations
    you perform the Schirmer Tear Test correctly
    you record STT results for each eye in the medical record

  25. Measure Intraocular Pressure
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by actual performance using a Tonopen
    Criteria
    you apply topical anesthetic to the patient's corneal surface
    you calibrate the Tonopen
    you apply the Tonopen correctly to the cornea and take a series of readings
    you average the readings and record them in the Medical Record

  26. Study basic concepts of equine anesthesia
    Assessment Strategies
    in lecture
    by successful completion of exams and quizzes
    Criteria
    you differentiate between various methods of equine anesthesia
    you study complications specific to equine anesthesia
    you study drug effects, side effects and use in equine anesthesia
    you study monitoring techniques and vital signs used in equine anesthesia

  27. Assist with equine IV general anesthesia
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by assisting with an equine IV general anesthesia demonstration
    Criteria
    you perform physical exam on the patient prior to and upon recovery from anesthesia
    you calculate drug dosages and volumes
    you properly administer the anesthetic agents
    you properly restrain the horse for induction
    you monitor the horse under anesthesia
    you provide the correct post-anesthetic environment suitable for recovery from anesthesia

  28. Assist with equine inhalent general anesthesia
    Assessment Strategies
    in the diagnostic imaging lab
    by assisting with an equine gas anesthesia demonstration
    Criteria
    you perform physical exam on the patient prior to and upon recovery from anesthesia
    you calculate all drug, gas and IV fluid dosages and volumes
    you administer anesthetic agents using correct technique
    you properly restrain the horse for induction
    you properly operate the gas anesthesia machine
    you monitor the patient using appropriate criteria
    you administer IV fluids
    you provide a safe and quiet environment for anesthetic recovery