CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What must always be checked for in the pressure injector before injecting a patient?

1. Contrast medium viscosity

2. Air bubbles

3. Temperature readings

4. Expired material

The correct answer is: Air bubbles

In the context of using a pressure injector for contrast media administration, checking for air bubbles before injecting a patient is crucial. Air bubbles can pose a significant risk during an injection, as they can lead to complications such as air embolism, which can be potentially life-threatening. Ensuring that the line is free of air bubbles helps to ensure the safety of the procedure and the well-being of the patient. While other factors such as the viscosity of the contrast medium, temperature readings, and expiration of materials are important considerations in the overall use of contrast media and injectors, they do not directly relate to immediate safety concerns as air bubbles do. For example, contrast medium viscosity affects flow rates and injection pressure but does not inherently pose the same type of acute risk to the patient as air does. Therefore, verifying that there are no air bubbles is a critical step that must always be performed before administering contrast media.