Veterinary Technician how-to

How to Take a Diagnostic Radiograph

Good positioning gives accurate diagnoses.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Good positioning gives accurate diagnoses. In short: review; wear; position, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Review the requested view.

  2. Wear lead protection.

  3. Position the patient correctly.

  4. Measure and set technique.

  5. Take the exposure.

  6. Check image quality.

Safety reminders for veterinary technicians

  • Use proper restraint to prevent bites
  • Wear radiation protection
  • Follow anesthetic gas safety
  • Lift animals with help

Triage · Venipuncture · IV catheter · Anesthesia monitoring · Radiograph · CBC: see the full veterinary technician glossary.

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