Update on MRI and CT clinicals

This past week I got a competency on an MRI C-spine. I am now understanding that a lot of the procedures are set up the same way, but I'm still trying to understand how to revise the protocols that are already in the computer if we have to do any additional views, etc. MRI is still extremely complicated, but I am slowly getting it.

I am still trying to study for my CT boards, so I'm still working on the Toshiba CT scanner on Mondays. The Toshiba scanner computer is not hooked up to the automatic injector so the delay times are not shown on the computer screen. I feel that having this feature challenges me to remember the delay times of each exam. I also feel that since I am working at an outpatient facility, I don't get to see as many exams as I would like. Most of the exams I see are basic chest, abdomen, pelvic, and head CT's with the occasional PE chest, extremity, and soft tissue neck.

My 1st MRI comp

This week I got my very first comp in MRI!! The comp was a knee and I did everything including filming. That may not seem like a lot, but It meant a lot to me. I might not know everything about MRI, but it is starting to make a little more sense the more and more I do exams.

MRI is difficult

I now have started MRI officially! MRI is a lot difficult then what I originally thought. It is starting to come to me, but there is so much to know. I am now working on the open MRI scanner where I have helped scan numerous extremities, spines, brains, and a couple abdomens. The abdomens I have seen have not been the best to watch. One study was to look at the liver and the other was to look at the kidneys. The protocol on the liver study had to be changed dramatically because the ordering physician also wanted to look at the adrenals, so I kind of sat back and watched because I had know idea what the MRI tech was doing!

About CT:

Unfortunately I haven't taken my CT boards yet, but I hope to learn more about anatomy and pathology before taking them. I find it very difficult to try to study for my CT boards, keep up in class, work, and understand MRI all at the same time. My goal is to take the CT boards in a few months and then I can primarily focus on MRI and my classes.

MRI clinicals

I'm excited to have another semester under my belt. It's almost time to take my CT boards!

I believe God makes things happen for a reason. Several months ago, the CT tech and I had a patient whose orders read: CT chest and abdomen. We must have overlooked the order, because we did a chest, abdomen, and pelvis. The radiologist called shortly after we finished the exam and asked for the patients doctors name and number, because the patient had bone cancer in the pelvis.

I hear about stories like these all the time. One time a patient came in to get a CT head following a car accident and a tumor was found in his brain. It is amazing to me how these things just happen. There is someone looking out....

Needles

Yesterday I was starting an IV on a patient to inject contrast and I had to use an 18 gauge needle. I got blood return, but I must have went through the vein, because the blood stopped. I tried to fix the problem, but it didn't work. It happened a second time later on that day. I am just wondering if there is a certain technique I can try when using a larger needle. I really don't have a problem with the smaller IV needles.

The CT tech that works with me says that it is just my nerves, because I get so anxious when I have to use a larger needle.

8/1/09

I was studying MRI physics during clinicals the other day and wanted to pull out my hair. It is so difficult to understand without working on the MRI scanner. I wish all the information could just magically appear in my brain.

In regards to CT, I assisted in scanning a patient who had a brain tumor. It is very fascinating to see the problems that could happen in the human body, but it is also so sad to see something on a scan. It is especially hard when the patient asks if I saw anything wrong and I have to lie and say I'm not sure what I'm looking at and I just take the pictures, the doctor will read them.