Portal hypertension secondary to end-stage chronic liver disease (CLD), also known as cirrhosis, is the most common cause of ascites in the United States. In 2023, CLD and cirrhosis accounted for more than 52,000 deaths and was the ninth leading cause of death that year. Ascites is a sign of decompensated cirrhosis which is managed with diet modification, pharmacologic therapy, and paracentesis. Performed for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes, paracentesis can provide symptomatic relief for patients and help the health-care team monitor and manage infections. While the paracentesis is a simple procedure, care must be taken to prevent and monitor for procedural complications, including postparacentesis circulatory dysfunction (PPCD) and hemorrhage.
Background Fasting prior to elective cerebral angiography is traditionally derived from anesthesia practice, despite the majority of procedures being performed under local anesthesia. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate whether nonfasting protocols reduce intraprocedural hypotension without increasing adverse events while improving patient experience. Methods This quality improvement initiative compared outcomes between two cohorts of patients undergoing elective cerebral catheter angiography. A retrospective fasting cohort (n = 60) was compared with a prospective nonfasting cohort (n = 60). Outcome measures included intraprocedural hypotension, nausea, vomiting, aspiration, and patient-reported satisfaction. Results Intraprocedural hypotension occurred in 18.2% of the fasting cohort compared with 1.6% of the nonfasting cohort (p < .05). No adverse events were observed in either group. Ninety-five percent of survey respondents rated their experience excellent. Conclusion A nonfasting protocol for cerebral angiography was associated with reduced intraprocedural hypotension, improved hemodynamic stability, and enhanced patient experience without an observed increase in adverse events.
Older adults account for a growing share of imaging utilization and face unique vulnerabilities during radiologic care. Imaging often involves multiple transitions, unfamiliar environments, and complex preparation that can increase risks related to mentation, mobility, medications, and alignment with what matters most to the patient. Applying the Age-Friendly Health System 4Ms framework offers radiology teams a practical, patient-centered approach to safer and more individualized care for older adults across outpatient and inpatient imaging settings.
Radiologic imaging is integrated throughout modern health care, yet nursing students often receive limited formal education on imaging modalities and related nursing considerations. To address this gap, an interprofessional educational activity was developed for fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing students during a medical-surgical clinical rotation and collaboratively facilitated by a nurse educator and board-certified radiologist. The 60 minute postconference activity incorporated active learning, case-based discussion, radiologic image review, and small-group collaboration to strengthen students’ practical radiology knowledge. By connecting imaging concepts to realistic patient care situations, this low-cost and adaptable activity promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and supports the development of practical clinical reasoning and patient care skills relevant across health-care settings.
Introduction Cancer treatment often necessitates the use of enclosed imaging devices such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, which can trigger claustrophobia in patients due to the small magnet bore. The Claustrophobia Questionnaire (CLQ) has demonstrated reliability and validity in assessment of claustrophobia, but it has not been tested in oncology patients undergoing MRI exams. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of assessing claustrophobia before MRI using the CLQ in the oncology patient population of a single-center, tertiary care cancer hospital. Literature Review Two tools in the literature have demonstrated reliability and validity in the assessment of claustrophobia, the CLQ and the Claustrophobia Scale. Only the CLQ has been tested in the MRI setting. The single question inquiry about claustrophobia was not sufficient to assess for Claustrophobia. The generalizability of the CLQ is limited because it has not been tested in the oncology population. Methods This prospective, cross-sectional, single-group design included a convenience sample of oncology patients (n = 240) undergoing MRI scans over a 12-week period. Eligible patients were English-speaking, adult outpatients included scheduled for an MRI at the main campus. Patients were excluded if they did not have access to the internet. The reliable and validated CLQ consists of 26 Likert scale items. An open-ended question asked participants’ impression of the questionnaire items. Prior to the MRI, participants were administered the CLQ through an online platform. Patients were offered educational material after completing the CLQ. Prior to the MRI, preliminary data about previous MRI experiences were collected. After the MRI exam, the participants recorded their experience. Data Analysis Data were analyzed using SPSS v27. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant demographics, questionnaire responses, and patient experience with MRI. Patient responses were coded by the primary and senior authors using a qualitative descriptive method. Results Overall, 99.6% of patients successfully completed their MRI. In total, 90% of patients completed the questionnaire before the MRI, and 0.8% stated that the questionnaire evoked anxiety due to the questionnaire itself. The majority of patients did not report claustrophobic events during their MRI, which limited the ability to draw correlations between the CLQ and the MRI outcome. Conclusion The CLQ evoked negative emotions in a population that was mostly able to complete the MRI successfully. Additional research is needed to develop a valid tool to assess MRI-associated claustrophobia in a manner that is acceptable to oncology patients.
Lateral decubitus computed tomography myelography (LDCTM) is an advanced diagnostic technique used to identify cerebrospinal fluid venous fistulas, an often underrecognized cause of intracranial hypotension and chronic orthostatic headaches. As this procedure becomes more common, the role of the neurointerventional radiology nurse continues to grow in importance for both patient safety and procedural success. This paper reviews nursing responsibilities across the preprocedural, intraprocedural, and postprocedural phases of care, including patient assessment, preparation, positioning support, monitoring, and education. Nurses are also involved in identifying risk factors, coordinating care with the procedural team, and managing patient responses to intrathecal contrast. The positioning and physiologic changes associated with LDCTM present additional challenges that require close attention throughout the procedure. With careful assessment, monitoring, and communication, nurses help reduce complications and support safe, effective outcomes for these patients.
Introduction Given the potential risks associated with MRI for both patients and health-care staff, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of a structured educational intervention in improving MRI safety knowledge among radiology personnel. Methods The study used a pre–post quantitative research design with a structured questionnaire to assess MRI safety knowledge among radiology staff. It was conducted in three phases: preintervention, intervention, and postintervention. The questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice questions covering MRI safety zones, patient screening, staff screening, and emergency procedures. Results A total of 95 health-care professionals participated in the study. Improvements were observed across key MRI safety domains after the intervention. The proportion of correct responses increased from 47.4% to 84.6%, representing a substantial gain in overall knowledge. Conclusion The findings highlight the need for standardized MRI safety training, consistent adherence to safety protocols, and ongoing education to enhance patient and staff safety and promote safe imaging practices.
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) offers a structured, evidence-based approach to improving perioperative outcomes, yet its adoption in interventional radiology (IR) remains limited despite clear applicability. This article outlines the role of radiology nurses in integrating ERAS principles into IR practice, emphasizing their position as key coordinators in patient preparation, intraprocedural management, and postprocedure recovery. Drawing on the “Guideline for the Implementation of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery” and current literature, the article describes essential components of ERAS, including prehabilitation, standardized care pathways, multimodal analgesia, goal-directed fluid therapy, early mobilization, and 30-day postoperative monitoring. Radiology nurses are highlighted as central to patient education, optimization of comorbidities, and addressing social determinants of health, efforts that support equitable, patient-centered care. The article also examines health disparities and the potential of ERAS to reduce variability and bias in clinical outcomes. By embedding ERAS into radiology nursing practice, departments can enhance clinical consistency, reduce complications, and improve patient experience across the continuum of care.
