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Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

Category: Imaging

🔍 Indications

Abdominal:

Detect inflammatory process, inspect soft tissue and organs, evaluate trauma, stage neoplasms

Brain:

Identify intracranial abnormalities, determine focal neurological abnormalities, evaluate head injury

Chest:

Diagnose aortic dissection, differentiate tumors, detect mediastinal lymph nodes, assess lung diseases

⚠️ Contraindications

  • Pregnancy (absolute contraindication)
  • Known allergy to iodine
  • Claustrophobia
  • Renal impairment
  • Hyperthyroidism or toxic goiter
  • Severe obesity (>300 pounds)

📋 Nursing Care

Before:

  • Obtain informed consent
  • Assess for allergies to iodinated dye or shellfish
  • Get health history
  • Check NPO status (if contrast to be used)
  • Instruct patient to wear comfortable, loose clothing
  • Explain about contrast medium sensations
  • Instruct patient to remain still
  • Inform about procedure duration (5-60 minutes)

After:

  • Resume usual diet and activities
  • Encourage increased fluid intake to promote dye excretion