ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

What must a radiographer do before entering a contact isolation room with a mobile x-ray unit?

1. Put on gown and gloves only

2. Put on gown, gloves, mask, and cap

3. Clean the mobile x-ray unit

4. Both 2 and 3

The correct answer is: Clean the mobile x-ray unit

In a scenario involving a contact isolation room, the focus is primarily on infection control to protect both the patient and the healthcare provider. The correct procedure requires that the mobile x-ray unit be properly cleaned to prevent the transmission of pathogens. This step is crucial because the x-ray unit can carry contaminants from one room to another if not properly maintained. While it is indeed important to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gowns, gloves, masks, and caps when entering contact isolation rooms, these are considered standard precautions necessary for direct patient contact. Cleaning the mobile x-ray unit takes precedence in this context as it addresses the risk of cross-contamination not just for the individual entering the room but for the entire healthcare environment. It's essential to recognize that the other options suggest implications of gowning and gloving, which are vital but do not address the necessary precautions required specifically for mobile equipment that will be used in an isolation situation. Therefore, cleaning the mobile x-ray unit is a key step in maintaining infection control protocols before any imaging procedures are performed in a contact isolation room.