important immediate assessments that should be made when evaluating a patient for a potential contrast reaction?
- 1. How does the patient look (e.g., level of consciousness and appearance of the skin)?
- 2. How does the patient’s voice sound? Can the patient speak?
- 3. How is the patient’s breathing?
- 4. What is the patient’s pulse strength and rate?
- 5. What is the patient’s blood pressure?
For full details regarding the treatment algorithms for acute contrast reactions, which are beyond the scope of this chapter, please see the American College of Radiology (ACR) Manual on Contrast Media ( http://www.acr.org/quality-safety/resources/contrast-manual ).
