Question

Which of the 5 rights is typically not up to the radiographer to determine?

1) right drug
2) right amount
3) right patient
4) right time
5) right route

Answer 1

The radiographer typically does not determine the right drug, as this is the responsibility of the physician or prescriber. The radiographer is responsible for verifying the patient, preparation of radiopharmaceuticals, administration timing, and the route of administration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the five rights in radiography - the right drug, right amount, right patient, right time, and right route - the one typically not up to the radiographer to determine is the right drug. This decision is usually made by the physician or prescriber who orders the imaging study. The radiographer's responsibilities primarily include verifying the right patient, preparing the right amount of radiopharmaceutical, ensuring the administration at the right time, and following the right route for the procedure - whether it involves an intravenous injection, inhalation, or oral administration.

Factors such as the half-life of the radiopharmaceutical and how it interacts with the body, whether passing quickly through the digestive system or potentially becoming lodged, are essential considerations for determining these rights. However, the selection of the specific radiopharmaceutical to be used (right drug) reflects a clinical decision based on the patient's medical condition and the diagnostic needs, which is beyond the radiographer's scope of practice.