Interventional radiology nurse.
Radiology is a medical specialty in which imaging technology is examined and used to identify, diagnose and treat diseases. Interventional radiology is a subset of this specialty, in which image guidance is used to perform minimally invasive procedures. An interventional radiology nurse has very specific roles that are different from a regular nurse's roles.
Patient Monitoring
The nurse plays a vital role in such procedures as the ultrasound-guided biopsy when the patient is sedated. The nurse must monitor the patient, and keep track of the patient's vitals. For example, the nurse needs to inform the doctor if the patient's blood pressure is rising, and the nurse needs to watch the patient's heart rate. For biopsy procedures without sedation or analgesia, a health care assistant could take the place of the nurse.
Patient Care
The interventional radiology nurse assesses if certain procedures can be performed in a single day, or if the patient needs to be in the hospital longer. Since the availability of beds is an issue in a hospital, the nurse must carefully decide if the patient needs to stay overnight. Before the operation, the nurse needs to begin any routine investigations for the patient, such as making sure the patient receives intravenous hydration before contrast injections. Furthermore, the nurse needs to answer any questions that the patient might have about his procedure.
Patient Safety
Additionally, the nurse's role on the multidisciplinary team is to plan for the safety of the patient during the procedure or operation. When a procedure is more complex, more than one nurse might need to be present in the treatment room to ensure the patient's safety. The nurse also has a role during the procedure to help the patient feel comfortable. This means monitoring the patient's pain, and providing relief if the patient indicates that she is feeling too much pain. However, it also means providing emotional support for the patient if she needs it. Further, during the procedure, the nurse may have to place venous cannulae and administer intravenous drugs to the patient. Thus, the nurse must be trained in anaphylaxis skills.
Tags: nurse needs, during procedure, nurse must, patient needs, radiology nurse
