Radiation exposure and diagnostic imaging.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to increase clinician awareness of current radiation exposures of diagnostic testing, discuss current practice patterns, and suggest strategies to address issues at the systems level, institution level, and the healthcare provider level.


METHODS
Evidence-based literature including interdisciplinary peer-reviewed articles in the biological and health-related fields.


CONCLUSIONS
Radiation exposure related to diagnostic testing is often higher than anticipated for both the clinician and the patient. Strategies to address radiation exposure need to be implemented at many different levels in the system. Best practice initiatives are surfacing and will require a team approach for success.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurse practitioners need to be aware of the benefits and risks of diagnostic testing involving radiation exposure. Patients should also be informed of potential risks and benefits. Alternative imaging should be considered and repetitive testing should be monitored closely.
Richardson
Luann
L
Duquesne University School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282, USA. Richardson@duq.edu
D000328:Adult; D019985:Benchmarking; D002648:Child; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000941:ethics / Q000451:nursing* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data