Question

How do you prep the patient when doing wrist projections? (5 things)

Answer 1

Proper preparation for wrist projections includes cleaning the arm and wrist, instructing the patient on positioning, stabilizing the wrist, and addressing the correct muscle areas to achieve the necessary positioning for accurate images.

Step-by-step explanation:

Prepping the Patient for Wrist Projections:

To prep a patient for wrist projections, it is important to ensure that the patient's arm and hand are properly cleaned, positioned, and stabilized to get the best possible imaging results. Here are five essential steps to follow:

1. Ensure the hand and wrist are clean by applying approximately 5 mL of liquid soap, and thoroughly rub it over the hands for at least 20 seconds, cleaning areas such as the thumb, wrist, areas between the fingers, and under the fingernails.
2. Use a nail brush if necessary to remove any debris or microorganisms that may be present under the fingernails to prevent contamination or obstructions in the imaging.
3. Assist the patient in properly positioning the hand by bending it up toward the shoulder, tilting it to the side away from the body, which stabilizes the wrist during the projection.
4. Instruct the patient to bend their fingers to make a fist if necessary, as a part of the specific wrist projection protocol.
5. Lastly, ensure correct muscle target areas such as the superficial anterior and posterior compartments of the forearm are addressed in order to properly bend the wrist toward or away from the body as needed for the desired views.

Properly prepping the patient will facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.