A1 Understand health issues page 34

Question 1

What potential harm can X-rays cause to healthy tissue?

Answer 1

X-rays can damage healthy tissue if a patient is exposed to them for prolonged periods of time.

Question 2

How is the risk of damage from X-rays reduced during medical imaging?

Answer 2

To reduce the risk of tissue damage, X-rays are filtered through a thin metal plate, which prevents lower energy X-rays from being absorbed by healthy tissue.

Question 3

What is the difference between lower energy and higher energy X-rays in terms of their absorption by body tissue?

Answer 3

Lower energy X-rays are more easily absorbed by body tissues, while higher energy X-rays have more penetration and can pass through tissues more effectively.

Question 4

What is the purpose of filtering X-rays through a thin metal plate before they enter the patient?

Answer 4

The thin metal plate helps prevent lower energy X-rays from heating and damaging tissues, reducing the risk during imaging.

Question 5

How do X-rays help in diagnosing diseases?

Answer 5

X-rays help in diagnosing diseases by penetrating the body and highlighting differences in tissue density, making it easier to detect abnormalities.

Question 6

What is absorption in the context of X-rays?

Answer 6

Absorption refers to the ability of a material, such as tissue, to take in external radiation, like X-rays.

Question 7

What is penetration in the context of X-rays?

Answer 7

Penetration is the ability of radiation to pass through a material, such as body tissue, while losing only a small amount of its energy.