Course Description
Radiography is a vital component of diagnosing and directing the treatment of extremity injuries in patients who have experienced a traumatic incident. Radiological technologists (RTs) are responsible for producing these high-quality images in a fast-paced, changing environment. Producing optimal images while providing excellent patient care are the most important goals for an RT in a trauma setting. These tasks require extensive knowledge of the anatomy and pathologies of the upper and lower extremities, the best imaging techniques to use for each situation, and how to assess a patient's condition throughout the examination.

This course will outline the RT's role in the trauma team, including the significance of maintaining clear and open communication within the team during mobile imaging. The benefits of preparing for the examination in advance will be discussed, along with proper procedures for patient verification, obtaining consent, and building rapport. A review of common trauma pathologies will be provided, including fractures, dislocations, foreign bodies, and traumatic amputations. Specifically, each major joint and bone of the upper and lower extremities will be covered in detail, with a discussion of common injuries and their specialized trauma views and radiographic appearance. This course will also cover proper patient transfer techniques and accessory radiography equipment, such as immobilization devices and the stationary grid. Finally, an overview of safety issues will be included, specifically regarding standard precautions, patient monitoring, and radiation safety.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content, the participant should be able to:

• OUTLINE the role of the radiologic technologist (RT) in imaging the upper and/or lower extremities of patients who have sustained a traumatic injury.
• EXPLAIN proper patient care and safety techniques that should be used while imaging patients who have sustained a traumatic injury to their extremities.
• IDENTIFY the types of fractures, dislocations, and foreign bodies seen in X-ray images of patients who have sustained a traumatic injury to the extremities.
• SUMMARIZE standard and specialized X-ray projections for imaging patients who have sustained traumatic injuries to the upper and lower extremities.

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 18 out of 24 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 2.5 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit (for Technical credits).

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.