Who Can Answer This Scenario?

[angieedoll]

A CT tech at a local hospital and an order comes through from the ER. The order is for a CT of the brain to R/O (rule out) CVA (cerebral vascular accident aka stroke). You go to the ER to bring the patient back to CT and the patient is asleep. You verify the patient identification all the meanwhile speaking to the patient and explaining what you are bringing them back for and a brief description of what you are going to do.

You bring the patient back to CT and you are getting ready to transfer the patient over to the table and the patient wakes up in a frantic hustle screaming "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" repeatedly along with some other words that don't make any sense. She has a glazed over look in her eyes. You ask the patient "do you want the scan on your brain still?" She continues with the "NO!" repeatedly. You repeat yourself in an effort to ensure that the patient understands what she is saying, "Ma'am, so are you refusing the exam for the CT of your brain???" She repeats with the "NO!"

You bring the patient back to the ER and tell the ER doctor on duty the situation. He goes over to the patient and tells her that we need to do the exam to see if she has a bleed in her head. He looks to you and says, "Go ahead and do the exam. I don't care if she keeps saying 'NO!'. Don't come back with her until you've done the exam"

What do you do and how do you feel about it?

Would/should the Tech continue with the Procedure?