Use X-Ray Equipment
X-rays are invaluable in showing doctors what's wrong with a patient. They can spot heart and lung problems, broken bones and tumors. Typically, the amount of radiation they release is not enough to cause harm to you or a patient, but there are precautions to take, especially if the patient is of reproductive age.
Instructions
1. Tell the patient to undress and put on an exam gown. Also have her remove all jewelry. Both can obscure the image on the X-ray.
2. Ask the patient if there's any chance she's pregnant. X-rays can damage genetic material and cause birth defects. If she may be pregnant, she should not be X-rayed unless absolutely necessary.
3. Cover her with a lead apron. Many state agencies say that whoever is in a room during an X-ray must wear one. Lead aprons reduce the radiation dose to the reproductive organs.
4. Bring the patient into the X-ray room. Place him between the X-ray camera and the film or the recorder. Tell him to stay as still as possible.
5. Leave the room. Press the remote button to take the image. If needed, reposition the patient and take additional images.
6. Have a radiologist analyze the X-ray images.
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