Referral for chest X-ray during pregnancy: considerations and concerns for the registered nurse referrer of medical ionising radiation. (2nd September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ingram, Shirley; Grehan, Jennifer
• Is Part Of: British journal of cardiac nursing. Volume 14:Number 9(2019)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 10
• Publication Date: 2019-09-02
• Subjects: Advanced practice -- Chest X-ray -- Ionising radiation -- Nurse referral of medical ionising radiation -- Radiation in pregnancy; Heart -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 616.10231
• DOI: 10.12968/bjca.2019.0005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1749-6403

Abstract

Abstract : In Ireland, nurse referral of medical ionising radiation has been in practice for 10 years. The chest X-ray is a key investigation for the patient who presents with acute chest pain. For nurses working in the specialty of cardiology, a knowledge of the risk/benefits of the chest X-ray is important for patient care. For the nurse referrer, it is vital to perform in a safe, competent and knowledgeable capacity and, as a cardiology nurse practitioner and referrer of chest X-ray, special consideration must be given to the pregnancy status of all female patients. This article aims to explain the physics of ionising radiation, radiation governance, the principles of X-ray referral and the potential harmful effects on the patient, with a specific focus on nurse referral in women of childbearing age.