01.02 Computed Tomography (CT)

Computed tomography or CT scans are narrow beamed X-rays that use a motorized rotating scanner to take cross-sectional images and put them together to make a 3D picture. This results in a more detailed picture of the inside of the body to help diagnose disease. Let’s discuss the purpose of the CT scan. 

The doctor will order a CT scan to get a clearer and more detailed picture to help see if there are any abnormalities or signs of disease in the patient’s body. CT scans will show tissue and can detect tumors. They show the organs like in this picture and help diagnose disease like pneumonia or heart disease. They show the vessels and any clots within them. Complex bone fractures that aren’t seen with regular X-rays can be visualized with the CT scan. Next let’s talk about what to do before the scan. 

So when the doctor orders  a CT scan for your patient, you will let them know and explain the procedure to them and tell them why they’re having this test done. For example, if the patient’s D-dimer was elevated and they were short of breath, the test may be ordered to look for pulmonary embolisms in the lungs. Sometimes the doctor will order a CT with contrast, in which case you will need to get a formal consent filled out and have the patient sign. Check and make sure that the patient has had a lab draw for BUN and creatinine to ensure that their kidney function is good because contrast can affect the kidneys. The radiology tech will not be able to do the test until you have the consent done because contrast is invasive. The contrast may be inserted in the IV, by mouth, or both. If the patient has to drink contrast, you will measure it out as ordered and add it to juice or soda. I usually mix it into sprite to hide the taste. The patient will drink the contrast two hours before the CT scan is done. Let the radiology technician know when the patient finishes the contrast so that they know when the patient will be coming.