Wednesday 29 August 2012

OSCE revision: Explaining a CT head scan

Introduction

Introduction
  • Introduce and identify yourself
  • Patient's full name, age, date of birth and preferred name
  • Obtain consent to interview

Understanding
  • Take a brief history
  • Ascertain if the patient knows what a CT scan is and why she needs it

Concerns
  • Elicit concerns based on pre-conceived ideas  

Explaining

CT scan
  • Clarify what a CT scan is
  • "It stands for Computerised Tomography. A CT scan uses X-rays to produces images of the body. The images are produced from data which the scanner acquires and are subsequently turned into cross-sectional images of the body, much like slices in a loaf of bread."

Procedure
  • Stop eating and drinking 2 hours before the scan
  • Looks like a giant washing machine (or giant doughnut)
  • Will be placed inside
  • May feel claustrophobic
  • Scanning is painless and should take around 10 minutes
  • When in the room will be left alone
  • Will be able to speak to the operator through an intercom system
  • May need IV contrast (harmless dye), so check for allergies

Safety
  • Generally safe
  • Lowest practical dose of radiation (since it is made up of multiple X-rays)
  • Benefits outweigh risk of exposure

Risks
  • Not recommended for pregnant women
 
Closing up

Understanding
  • Check whether the patient has understood what had been explained

Questions
  • Encourage the patient to ask questions and deal with them appropriately
  • Ask about concerns

Summary
  • Summarise everything

Consent
  • Take consent

Respond
  • Acknowledge patient's feelings and react positively to them


Adapted from: MasterPass

1 comment:

  1. Amazing tips! The CT scan can be a helpful and necessary diagnostic procedure. However, feelings of anxiety before and during CT scan are normal. These tips are really helpful!

    ReplyDelete