Xray techs: When you're doing multiple limb studies, is it okay to do all the APs or obliques, etc. in a row?

Question

We're doing competencies in the lab.  Typically, I do all the elbow positions (ap, oblique, lateral) and then move on to the forearm and do all those. 

Tomorrow we're doing the lower limb.  I'm wondering s it okay if I do all the APs in a row (AP knee, AP heel, AP ankle, AP foot)?  It seems like it could save time and improve comfort for the patient.  I think I even heard someone say that that's how professionals do it.  Is this true?  But more importantly, is it specifically wrong to do it that way? 

 I think for our competency we can do it however we want.  But I wouldn't want to start doing it that way, if it's a no-no at clinical.

I'm in my first year, first semester of the associate's.

RadTech - BAS RT(R)(ARRT) · Accepted Answer

Yes. That is the way professionals do it. The fewer times you have to make the patient move, the better. Also consider how you will have to move your tube...some views require an angle, others do not.

Diane, you do know a lot, but this isn't your area of expertise. Just because they are presented to you that way does not mean they were taken in that order.

Chill out? I thought I was quite calm...

Diane A · Answer

While I am not an xray tech, I know reading them, on split screens, you need all the foot together, all the ankle etc and that may not happen the way you are presenting it.  The Xray techs I work with do all the views together for each part (all the foot, all the knee etc; not all the APs, then in the obliques etc).

Rad Tech- I SAID I was not a Xray tech, but in the clinics I work at they STILL take all one area first-not all the APs etc & that is what I stated-I did not state I was answering for the whole profession-chill out!! I certainly get the part about not moving patients because I assist in the Xray dept all the time on trauma films (and inject contrast there, so I am not a complete dummy, and at my clinic we are in the room with the rad techs almost for all xrays to read them for acceptability before returning the pt down the hall). I answered because sometimes they do not get any answers, and it was just what we do! I WAS actually going  to refer him to you...but geesh.

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Xray techs: When you're doing multiple limb studies, is it okay to do all the APs or obliques, etc. in a row?

2 Answers