RAD 170 - Medical Imaging Fundamentals

1. Define radiologic technologist profession and scope of practice, and define the ethical and legal issues for health care professionals as it relates to age-specific care for infants, children, adults and elderly patients.
2. Use radiographic positioning terminology and demonstrate proper radiation protection practices, patient assessment, infection control, transfer practices, manipulation, function of x-ray units, and computerized reader systems. 
3. Define and demonstrate factors that affect image quality and critique images based on Bontrager’s positioning criteria.

1. Identify the initials which represent the modalities the ARRT certifies.
2. Distinguish and explain the purpose of: ARRT, ASRT, MRTBE, and ASSRT.
3. Discuss the ARRT examination procedure by describing the candidate’s general qualifications and educational requirements.
4. Distinguish between the following specialties and safety concerns found in radiology: CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound (Sonography), Radiation Therapy (Oncology), Cardiovascular Interventional Technology, and Mammography.
5. Discuss the discovery of X-ray.
6. Identify exposure, non-exposure, overexposure and underexposure on a radiograph.
7. List the four measures a radiographer can take to protect the patient from excess radiation and improve the quality of the radiograph.
8. State what the letters ALARA stand for.
9. Describe the four (4) ways ALARA can be achieved.
10. Describe and describe the function of each lock on the x-ray tube housing.
11. Identify the distance indicators: SID = Source-Image Distance.
12. Maneuver the tube and collimate to the cassettes to a 10 x 12 size and a 14 x 17 size.
13. Identify and explain the following abbreviations: CR, SID (same as FFD and TFD), KVP, MA, S, and MA.
14. List the basic components of the x-ray tube.
15. Describe the components on the control panel.
16. Define standard terms used in radiographic positioning. 
17. Describe the name of the four common body types.
18. Determine the degree of inspiration on chest radiography.
19. Describe patient preparation for chest radiography.
20. Identify the various part of the lungs (base, hilum, apex, costophrenic angles) pm a chest radiograph.
21. Evaluate radiographs of the chest according to Bontrager’s evaluation criteria.
22. Identify the five topographic landmarks that can be used for positioning the abdomen.
23. Complete all requirements for clinical admission as stated in the RAD Student Handbook.

1. Orientation
   1. Course outline
   2. Program guidelines
   3. Specialization and certification within the Radiologic Technology profession
   4. Professional organizations
   5. History of radiography
   6. Campus laboratory imaging equipment
2. Production of Diagnostic Radiation
   1. Basic x-ray tube components
   2. Control panel
      1. Exposure factors
      2. Warm-up procedure
   3. X-ray beam
3. Image Formation
   1. Central ray (CR)
   2. Digital radiography, computerized radiography (DR/CR) reader
4. Ethics and Professionalism
   1. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) / medical legal issues
   2. Professional behavior and attitudes
   3. Code of ethics/conduct
5. Patient Care and Assessment
6. Age Specific Care Considerations
   1. Radiation protection
   2. Patient preparation / clinical history
   3. Professional communication
   4. Body mechanics / patient transfer
   5. Standard precautions / infection control
   6. Emergency situations
7. Radiographic Positioning of the Abdomen and Chest
   1. Anatomy
   2. Basic radiographic positions
      1. Abdomen
         1. Kidney ureters bladder (KUB)
         2. Upright
         3. Lateral
         4. Lateral decubitus
      2. Chest
         1. Posterior anoterior (PA) and lateral
         2. Anteroposterior (AP) supine
         3. Lateral decubitus
         4. Both anterior obliques
         5. Lordotic
   3. Radiographic review
   4. Pertinent pathology