Ask the Instructor: A Q&A Column for Those New to the Cath Lab

My instructor tells me to keep my x-ray exposure as low as possible. What can I do to minimize my exposure? We use the acronymn ALARA: As Low As Reasonably Achievable. To do this you must stay as far away as possible while still being able to do your job, reduce the amount of time you are around the radiation and shield yourself as much as possible. This includes wearing your lead properly, wearing lead glasses if available and wearing your thyroid. Please remember to keep track of your dosimeter and the readings that should be coming back to you on a monthly basis from the person who collects and distributes the dosimeters. Are situs inversus and dextrocardia the same thing? Dextrocardia is a congential abnormality where the primitive heart bulb forms to the right side rather than the left as it does in most people. The apex points to the right rather than the left and it is completely functional. Situs inversus is where other organs are on the opposite side than they normally are. This can include the heart, but other organs such as the liver and stomach are on the opposite side than they normally are and this again is functional. These conditions are usually discovered when a physician does a physical exam and finds the organs and/or sounds he/she listens for are not where they should be. Further investigation can be done using x-ray, CT scan and MRI to confirm the position of the organs. Contact Jason Wilson with your questions at: hrtfixr7@yahoo.com

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