Question

Under the Microscope Chapter 7

Gabby is a surgical technologist who often scrubs in orthopedic procedures. She recently found out she is 10 weeks pregnant and is thrilled because she has been trying for some time. She has informed her supervisor, but finds herself scheduled to do total hip replacement procedure with a surgeon who uses bone cement and fluoroscopy to check the prosthesis placement.

1. Is Gabby or her fetus at risk by scrubbing in on this type of procedure?

2. What ate the factors that place her/them at risk and why?

3. Are there precautions that Gabby could take to minimize risk and still do the case?

4. Would Gabby have the same risk factors if she was not pregnant? why or why not?

Answer 1

1.Shabby and her foetus is at risk of radiation hazard.In ortho cases like total hip replacement the use of flouroscopy enables to perform a surgery by visualisation of the internal structure bone.This emits a continuous X Ray which can cause harm to both at this time.

2.The main factors which places them at risk are

• Pregnancy :who is just 10 weeks where the foetus develops
• Surgical decision :her ptifeddion herself places them at risk

3.In case if she has to do the procedure she has to wear a lead apron with radiation batch .In her case a seconds feral dise monitoring badge is also given to assess the level of radiation inbthe foetus

4.Gabby will have the same risk factor because radiation are always harmful to all even in a pregnant women or not.This is because of the penetration of the radiation to human occurring for a certain circumference around the C -Arm