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
-
Use recommended radiographic safety measuresAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labthrough actual performance of radiographic exposuresCriteriayou wear radiation monitoring badge and appropriate protective apparel while exposing radiographs inside the x-ray roomyou wear radiation monitoring badge and turn "In Use" light on while exposing radiographs outside the x-ray roomyou use chemical and mechanical restraints for patient positioningyou collimate the x-ray primary beam to the field of interestyou keep body parts out of primary beam and look away when exposing radiographs if hand-holdingyou safely mix processing chemicals
-
Label x-ray machine components and describe their functionAssessment Strategiesin lecturethrough successsful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou complete assigned readings and worksheetsyou can identify relevant x-ray machine components on an exam or quizyou can explain how each x-ray machine component works on an exam or quizyou can identify the metal composition of the anode and cathode
-
Create and use radiographic technique chartsAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby creating technique charts for all required anatomic areasby using the technique charts to obtain properly exposed radiographsCriteriayou measure the patient and read the calipers correctlyyou use appropriate formulas to calculate exposure valuesyou obtain a variety of exposures for each anatomical area and choose the best oneyou record exposure settings of best quality exposure on technique chart and complete the chartyou use the created technique chart to obtain quality radiographic exposures
-
Troubleshoot radiographic exposure qualityAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labthrough successful completion of laboratory exam or quizCriteriayou interpret radiographic exposure using logical rationaleyou determine whether the radiograph was properly processedyou determine if radiographic artifacts affect the quality of the radiographyou determine if correct exposure settings were selected and set properly for the exposureyou use all processing and exposure information to determine how to improve radiographic qualityyou calculate new exposure settings correctly and/or correct the processing erroryou explain how the changes will improve the radiograph
-
Create diagnostic quality radiographsAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby obtaining diagnostic quality project radiographsCriteriaProject radiographs contain properly positioned patients and correct viewsProject radiographs contain properly centered field of interest and patientsProject radiographs are properly collimatedProject radiographs are labeled correctlyProject radiographs are of diagnostic quality contrast and density with sufficient detailProject radiographs contain no processing errors or artifacts
-
Automatically process radiographsAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby successful submission of properly processed project radiographsCriteriaProject radiographs are properly processed and dried in a darkroom using only red lightProject radiographs contain no processing artifactsProject radiographs contain no chemical errorsProject radiographs contain no wrinkles, tears, roller marks or other mechanical defects
-
Describe the procedure for hand processing radiographsAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labthrough successful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou identify materials used in hand processingyou identify and explain the function of processing chemicalsyou correctly determine processing times by reading developer temperatureyou explain how to process film in the proper tank for the proper time and then dry ityou explain proper lighting and darkroom set-up required to hand process radiographs
-
Use both stationary and portable x-ray machinesAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby taking quality radiographic exposures using both types of x-ray machinesby successful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou set machine exposure settings and push exposure button correctlyyou set the correct source-image distance, collimation and x-ray tube angleyou attach portable machines to x-ray stands correctly and operate the height switchyou correctly position x-ray cassettes for required views
-
Differentiate between different types of image receptorsAssessment Strategiesin lectureby successful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou identify each x-ray cassette, film and intensifying screen componentyou describe the function of each x-ray cassette, film and intensifying screen componentyou analyze factors affecting film and screen speed and the type most commonly used in veterinary medicine
-
Analyze the process of x-ray productionAssessment Strategiesin lecturesuccessful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou acquire knowledge of basic electromagnetic radiation principlesyou analyze physical properties of x-raysyou logically explain x-ray production from source to latent image
-
Interpret the effects of ionizing radiation on the bodyAssessment Strategiesin lectureby successful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou determine which cells of the body are most sensitive to radiationyou differentiate the effects radiation can have on living cellsyou use correct terminology in explaining the two major types of biologic damage from radiationyou determine who can and cannot assist with radiography and what is their maximum permissible doseyou can define and explain radiation terms and radiation exposure unitsyou explain ways to reduce personnel exposure to radiation
-
Care for radiographic, ultrasonographic and endoscopic equipmentAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby instructor inspection of cleaned equipment at the completion of labCriteriayou clean x-ray cassettes properlyyou clean x-ray table surface and leave radiology room clean and orderlyyou clean ultrasound transducer, use machine in clean environment, and maintain a darkened roomyou understand concepts of cleaning endoscopic equipment
-
Use contrast mediaAssessment Strategiesin diagnostic imaging lab and in lectureby administering contrast media to patient and taking sequential timed x-raysby successful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou adminster contrast agent to patient using correct dose and routeyou take radiographs at the proper timeyou label the radiographs properly, especially the time of the exposureyou interpret type of contrast used according to appearance of media on developed filmyou identify different types of contrast studiesyou identify different types and use of contrast media
-
Make and measure ECG tracingsAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labthrough actual performance of ECG tracing and interpretation for ECG projectCriteriaECG Project used correct lead attachment to patientECG Project used correct machine settings for patient speciesECG Project utilized correct use of the ECG machine controlsECG Project positioned the patient properlyECG Project contains six diagnostic quality ECG lead tracings without artifactsRequired ECG heart rate calculations are done correctly and compared to normals
-
Interpret ECG tracingsAssessment Strategiesin lectureby successful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou identify parts of ECG tracingyou understand Rule of Current Flowyou understand Lead Polarity and can identify the positive and negative poles of Lead IIyou correlate activity on ECG tracing with cardiac electrical activity, function and muscle mass sizeyou recognize variations of normal sinus rhythmsyou recognize common ECG tracing artifactsyou recognize common arrhythmias associated with cardiac arrest
-
Use ultrasonography equipmentAssessment Strategiesin diagnostic imaging lab and lectureby observing an ultrasound demonstrationby successful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou properly set-up ultrasound machineyou clip and prep the appropriate patient areayou restrain patient properly for ultrasound examinationyou differentiate between types of ultrasound scanners and probesyou identify areas of varying echogenicity using appropriate termsyou describe basic ultrasound machine functionyou correctly define common ultrasound terminolgyyou identify and describe common sonographic artifacts
-
Perform venipuncture for blood samplingAssessment Strategiesin diagnostic imaging labby documented completion of venipuncture skills on skill sheetCriteriayou draw required volume of blood from canine and feline cephalic veins using syringe and needle or vacutaineryou draw required volume of blood from canine and feline jugular veins using syringe and needle or vacutaineryou draw required volume of blood from canine saphenous and feline medial femoral veins using syringe and needle or vacutainer
-
Perform parenteral injectionsAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby documented completion of IV injection skills on skill sheetCriteriayou successfully inject total syringe volume of medication into canine and feline cephalic veinsyou successfully inject total syringe volume of medication into canine saphenous and feline medial femoral veins
-
Perform gastric intubationAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby successfully passing a gastric tube into the canine stomachCriteriayou gather all supplies prior to the procedureyou properly premeasure the stomach tube for appropriate length and mark it at the stop positionyou correctly insert the mouth speculum and are able to hold the speculum in placeyou lubricate stomach tube and pass it through the mouth speculum, pharynx, esophagus and stomach, stopping at the appropriate pointyou check for correct tube placement prior to administering medicationyou administer medication and seal tube prior to withdrawing it from the patient
-
Perform routine record-keepingAssessment Strategiesin diagnostic imaging labwhen all medical records and forms are checked by Instructor for proper completionCriteriayou correctly complete the physical exam form in a timely manneryou enter all required information into the patient medical recordyou place "in class" card on animal's home cageyou correctly complete premedication, anesthetic monitoring and recovery formsyou record x-ray machine settings in the radiology log for project patients
-
Perform cystocentesisAssessment Strategiesin diagnostic imaging labby successfully obtaining a cystocentesis sample from a canine or felineCriteriayou gather all supplies prior to attempting procedureyou restrain and position patient properlyyou clean centesis site with alcohol, being careful to wipe away excess alcoholyou use aseptic techniqueyou use proper hand technique for obtaining centesis sample
-
Apply topical ophthalmic medicationsAssessment Strategiesin diagnostic imaging labby successful performance of topical medication application to the eye documented on skill sheetCriteriayou gather all supplies prior to attempting procedureyou irrigate corneal surface and clean surrounding eyelids and skinyou topically apply proper amount of medication using proper techniqueyou wait 1 minute between applications of multiple medications, applying solutions before ointments
-
Perform fluorescein corneal stainAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby successfully applying fluorescein dye to the cornea and documentation on skill sheetCriteriayou gather all supplies prior to attempting procedureyou correctly prepare the fluoroscein dyeyou properly apply the dye to the surface of the corneayou observe cornea in darkened room using ophthalmoscope
-
Perform Schirmer Tear TestAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby successful performance of the Schirmer Tear Test and documentation on skill sheetCriteriayou gather all supplies prior to attempting the procedureyou perform the STT prior to other ophthalmic manipulationsyou perform the Schirmer Tear Test correctlyyou record STT results for each eye in the medical record
-
Measure Intraocular PressureAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby actual performance using a TonopenCriteriayou apply topical anesthetic to the patient's corneal surfaceyou calibrate the Tonopenyou apply the Tonopen correctly to the cornea and take a series of readingsyou average the readings and record them in the Medical Record
-
Study basic concepts of equine anesthesiaAssessment Strategiesin lectureby successful completion of exams and quizzesCriteriayou differentiate between various methods of equine anesthesiayou study complications specific to equine anesthesiayou study drug effects, side effects and use in equine anesthesiayou study monitoring techniques and vital signs used in equine anesthesia
-
Assist with equine IV general anesthesiaAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby assisting with an equine IV general anesthesia demonstrationCriteriayou perform physical exam on the patient prior to and upon recovery from anesthesiayou calculate drug dosages and volumesyou properly administer the anesthetic agentsyou properly restrain the horse for inductionyou monitor the horse under anesthesiayou provide the correct post-anesthetic environment suitable for recovery from anesthesia
-
Assist with equine inhalent general anesthesiaAssessment Strategiesin the diagnostic imaging labby assisting with an equine gas anesthesia demonstrationCriteriayou perform physical exam on the patient prior to and upon recovery from anesthesiayou calculate all drug, gas and IV fluid dosages and volumesyou administer anesthetic agents using correct techniqueyou properly restrain the horse for inductionyou properly operate the gas anesthesia machineyou monitor the patient using appropriate criteriayou administer IV fluidsyou provide a safe and quiet environment for anesthetic recovery