Course

in the diagnostic imaging lab

through actual performance of radiographic exposures

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

in lecture

through successsful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by creating technique charts for all required anatomic areas

by using the technique charts to obtain properly exposed radiographs

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

through successful completion of laboratory exam or quiz

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by obtaining diagnostic quality project radiographs

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by successful submission of properly processed project radiographs

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

through successful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by taking quality radiographic exposures using both types of x-ray machines

by successful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in lecture

by successful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in lecture

successful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in lecture

by successful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by instructor inspection of cleaned equipment at the completion of lab

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

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

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

through actual performance of ECG tracing and interpretation for ECG project

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

in lecture

by successful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in diagnostic imaging lab and lecture

by observing an ultrasound demonstration

by successful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in diagnostic imaging lab

by documented completion of venipuncture skills on skill sheet

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by documented completion of IV injection skills on skill sheet

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by successfully passing a gastric tube into the canine stomach

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

in diagnostic imaging lab

when all medical records and forms are checked by Instructor for proper completion

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

in diagnostic imaging lab

by successfully obtaining a cystocentesis sample from a canine or feline

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

in diagnostic imaging lab

by successful performance of topical medication application to the eye documented on skill sheet

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by successfully applying fluorescein dye to the cornea and documentation on skill sheet

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by successful performance of the Schirmer Tear Test and documentation on skill sheet

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by actual performance using a Tonopen

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

in lecture

by successful completion of exams and quizzes

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by assisting with an equine IV general anesthesia demonstration

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

in the diagnostic imaging lab

by assisting with an equine gas anesthesia demonstration

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