Understanding X-Ray Procedures: A Patient Guide

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.