Final answer:
A radiographer could be liable for a negligent tort in cases where they image the wrong forearm, injure a patient during positioning, or fail to inquire about pregnancy prior to an X-ray, as these actions can lead to harm and suggest a lack of proper patient care and safety protocols.
Step-by-step explanation:
A radiographer can be found liable for a negligent tort if they fail to adhere to the standard of care required in their profession. This includes situations such as:
- Imaging the wrong forearm, which can be considered as a failure to execute the proper procedure correctly.
- Patient injury while being positioned on the X-ray tube table, suggesting a possible lack of due diligence in ensuring the patient's safety.
- Failing to question about possible pregnancy before performing an X-ray examination, which is a crucial step to avoid potential harm to a fetus from radiation exposure.
In each case, the radiographer's actions or inactions could lead to harm or injury, resulting in a potential claim of negligence if it is shown that the radiographer breached their duty of care to the patient. Such breaches could occur through improper technique, inadequate patient communication, or insufficient safeguards against overexposure to X-rays, which could cause serious health issues such as cancer. The legal responsibility lies in ensuring that the risks of cell damage from radiation are always weighed against the diagnostic benefits, and that proper protocols are followed to minimize radiation exposure.