ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

What should a radiographer do when handling an unconscious patient during examination?

1. Refer to the patient by name

2. Make only those statements that you would make with a conscious patient

3. Reassure the patient about what you are doing

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: Reassure the patient about what you are doing

When handling an unconscious patient during an examination, it's crucial to create a sense of safety and reassurance, even though the patient may not be aware of what is happening. Reassuring the patient about the procedures being performed contributes to a calm environment and can help alleviate any anxiety the patient may have, even if they cannot respond. This approach is especially important since the patient is unable to communicate or express their feelings about the procedure. Using reassuring language helps establish trust, which can be significant for both the patient and the healthcare provider. Although the patient is unconscious, they may still have a physiological response to the voice of the radiographer, and a calm demeanor can contribute positively to their overall experience in the clinical setting. While referring to the patient by name and making statements that would typically be appropriate for a conscious patient may seem considerate, the primary focus with an unconscious patient is to provide reassurance and maintain a supportive atmosphere. This makes focusing on reassurance the most critical action in this context.