Medical emergencies

Medical emergencies

Exam category: Patient Care → Medical Emergencies
Why it matters: These questions test recognition and response — can you identify what's happening and know your role, even if you're not the one giving definitive treatment?

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The big picture (plain English)

You're often the only healthcare professional in the room with a patient during imaging. Recognizing an emergency early — and knowing what to do (and what not to do) in the first minute — matters more than any technical skill in this scenario.

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1. Non-contrast allergic reactions (e.g. latex)

Ask about latex allergy during history, especially before gloves, tourniquets, or catheters. Signs range from mild (localized rash, itching) to severe (hives, wheezing, anaphylaxis: difficulty breathing, facial/throat swelling, drop in blood pressure). This is a distinct topic from iodinated contrast reactions (covered in the Pharmacology module) — similar recognition pattern, different causative agent and some different management specifics.

2. Cardiac or respiratory arrest (CPR, AED)

Per current American Heart Association guidelines:

• Recognize arrest: unresponsive, not breathing normally (gasping doesn't count as normal breathing), no pulse.
• Adult compression rate: 100-120/min. Depth: 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm).
• Compression-to-breath ratio (single rescuer, adult): 30:2.
• Minimize interruptions (pauses under 10 seconds), use the AED as soon as available — don't delay it to finish a round of compressions — and allow full chest recoil between compressions.

3. Physical injury or trauma

Don't move a trauma patient more than necessary — additional positioning can worsen an unstable fracture or spinal injury. Suspect cervical spine injury in significant head/neck trauma; adapt the exam (e.g. cross-table lateral) rather than moving the patient into standard positioning. Watch for and report uncontrolled bleeding, signs of shock (pale/cool/clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, low BP, altered mental status), and new neurological changes.

4. Seizures and diabetic reactions

Seizure: protect the patient from injury (clear the area, don't restrain, don't put anything in their mouth), time it if possible, and place in the recovery position afterward if no spinal injury is suspected.

Diabetic emergencies:

Hypoglycemia's fast onset makes it the more immediately dangerous of the two in an acute imaging setting — a diabetic patient who suddenly becomes confused or shaky should be suspected of hypoglycemia and reported/treated promptly.

5. Communicating critical findings

Any abnormal vital sign, sudden change in condition, or emergency must be communicated to the appropriate provider immediately — not documented for later review. When in doubt about urgency, report it — under-reporting is the more serious error.

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Registry must-know facts

• Adult CPR: 100-120 compressions/min, 2-2.4 in depth, 30:2 ratio, AED ASAP, full chest recoil.
• Cardiac arrest = electrical/heart stops. Heart attack = circulation/blood flow blocked — different management.
• Trauma: minimize movement, suspect C-spine injury, adapt technique rather than standard positioning.
• Seizure: protect from injury, don't restrain, nothing in the mouth, recovery position after if no spinal injury suspected.
• Hypoglycemia = fast onset. Hyperglycemia = slow onset.
• Report critical findings immediately — never "document and move on."

Common trap

Questions test whether you'll confuse cardiac arrest with a heart attack, or apply CPR logic to a conscious patient having chest pain. A conscious, breathing patient with a pulse never needs compressions, regardless of how alarming their symptoms are.

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Source: Ehrlich, Patient Care in Radiography, 10th ed. CPR figures per current American Heart Association Basic Life Support guidelines.