Based on the situation given, a 75 years old female patient was scheduled for a CT abdomen with contrast media administration. However the patient is currently on a medication because she is reported with lower limb swelling, high blood pressure, and high protein in urine. Plus, her BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine level in blood are also high.
These high levels of BUN and creatinine in blood signify impaired kidney function or kidney disease. Thus the patient is known to have problems with her kidney. BUN level measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood that comes from the waste product urea. (Healthwise, 2016) Urea is the waste product that results from the process of the proteins used in cells being broken down by the liver. Urea…show more content… Radiographers need to proceed with another alternative method if the abdomen examination is still crucial for the patient. Another alternative method includes performing the MRI without gadolinium, ultrasound or if CT scan still needs to be done, perform the examination without the use of contrast media.
The administration of CM for the examination is not appropriate to be done because the benefit for not administering CM to patient seems to be outweighed by the risk where the development of CIN can be avoided. This is important because when the contrast media is injected, it will be cleared from the body by the kidneys. However, if the kidney function is below normal, the clearance of the contrast media from the body will be more slowly.
For CT contrast materials, the amount of contrast agents used is in a large volume. Therefore, if the kidney function is very poor, the functioning kidney is exposed to contrast materials for a longer time than in people who have completely normal kidneys and can clear it more rapidly. This prolonged exposure is thought to increase the risk of developing kidney damage and may lead to the development of
