Reference no: EM133449718

Assignment:

Scenario: A 60 year-old female is scheduled for a CT scan of her abdomen with IV contrast dye. The RT goes into the crowded waiting room with a cup of contrast to give her to drink prior to the procedure. The patient asks to speak with the RT in a more private place. The RT says that she is very busy and hands her the contrast. The patient quietly, but firmly tells her that the procedure is very specific in that it is focused on the adrenal glands and not the gastro-intestinal system. She further states that both her physician and the radiologist have agreed that the contrast drink is unnecessary. The RT is very annoyed at the patient's refusal and repeats that contrast is routine and that the procedure is a waste of time without it. The patient requests that the RT contact the ordering physician. The RT is even more annoyed now and leaves the waiting room, saying... "Well, we just won't get a good picture and you'll have to go through it all over again." The patient asks again that her physician be contacted to clear up this confusion.

The RT talks with the radiologist who checks his notes and says that contrast is unnecessary.

1. What are the issues here?

2. What are the possible reasons for this patient's refusal?

3. What could have been done to minimize the difficult situation?

4. How could the situation been handled more appropriately?

5. Are there legal implications in the situation?