Judgment Situational Question

Torres' Patient Care in Imaging Technology, 8th ed

Chapter 4: Patient Care and Safety

Situational Judgment Answers

INSTRUCTIONS: Place an “M” next to the most appropriate response for each situation and an “L” next to the least appropriate response for each situation.

Situation 1

A 4-year-old girl is in the diagnostic imaging department for skull radiographs after falling out of a grocery cart. Her mother accompanies her. The child is screaming and flailing about. Her radiographs are important to her diagnosis because skull fracture is suspected; however, she is in danger of falling from the table in her agitated state.

_____ / 1. / Put on lead apron and gloves and hold the child while another radiographer takes the radiograph.
_____ / 2. / Ask another radiographer to hold the child.
_____ / 3. / Send the child back to ER until she is more tranquil.
Most / 4. / Ask the child’s mother to hold her.
Least / 5. / Sedate the child and then proceed.

Situation 2

Mr. Jones is an inpatient and has been transferred to the imaging department for an abdominal series. Mr. Jones is frail, confused, and unable to stand for the upright abdomen; therefore, a left lateral decubitus of the abdomen will be needed. Since Mr. Jones is confused, he is unable to fully cooperate with the decubitus position. How would you assess and approach this situation while delivering effective quality patient care?

Most / 1. / Have someone assist you by wearing a lead apron and holding Mr. Jones so that he does not move during the decubitus position. Have someone stay with Mr. Jones, so that he is not in danger of falling or hurting himself while you process the images. Raise the side rails to the gurney when the patient is on the gurney.
Least / 2. / Call the nurse caring for Mr. Jones and inform her that you are unable to do the x-ray because Mr. Jones is too frail and unable to stand. Ask her to please resend the patient back to radiology when he is feeling better and able to stand.
_____ / 3. / Only do the KUB and supine chest x-ray. Document that the patient was uncooperative, and therefore, you were unable to obtain a left lateral decubitus.

Situation 3

You are assigned to perform a hip x-ray on Jane Brown. Jane was in an automobile accident and is complaining of severe hip pain. Based on her signs and symptoms, there is high possibility of a hip fracture. In the middle of the exam, Jane expresses to you that she needs to void; however, you are unable to move her. How would you assess and approach this situation while delivering effective quality patient care?

Least / 1. / Tell the patient that the exam is almost over and that she should try to hold her urine until she returns to her room so a more qualified person, her nurse, can assist.
_____ / 2. / Call the patient’s nurse and ask her or him to come to the imaging department to put an adult diaper on the patient so that you may continue with the exam.
Most / 3. / Locate a fracture bedpan, toilet paper, and a washcloth. Assist the patient with the bedpan and give the patient privacy. Call the ordering physician and inform him or her of the occurrence just in case a urine sample is needed.