ASRT SEAL 5 Flashcards
Tumor staging is used to describe which of the following? Please select all that apply.
The differentiation of the cells.
Where the tumor is located in the body.
The size of the tumor.
Whether the cancer has spread to a different part of the body.
Where the tumor is located in the body.
The size of the tumor.
Whether the cancer has spread to a different part of the body.
Hint: Tumor staging is used to describe the size or prevalence of the tumor, where the tumor is located in the body, and whether the cancer has spread to another part of the body or lymph nodes.
The total dose equivalent limit for an embryo/fetus is:
5 mSv
10 mSv
15 mSv
20 mSv
5 mSv
Hint: A developing embryo or fetus has lower dose limits than radiation workers because of the rapidly dividing cells. Babies and children are more sensitive to radiation effects than adults.
With the given information, using the table below, calculate the MU for the following isocentric AP/PA right femur treatment. Dr. Jones prescribes a 6 MV beam with 180 cGy to midline. The field size dialed is a 14 cm x 8 cm. The patient separation is 18 cm at the central axis.
90 MU per field
120 MU per field
123 MU per field
239 MU per field
123 MU per field
Hint: To find MU you need the following formula: TD/ TMR x CF x Sc x Sp (Sc x Sp= Scp if not block present) . First you need to find the equivalent square field size for 14cm x 8 cm. Use 2 (L x W/L + W)=10.2 cm; use 10 cm2. Then determine the Sc, Sp, CF and TMR.
Which of the following is a cancer of the plasma cells?
keloid
mycosis fungoides
multiple myeloma
non-hodgkin lymphoma
multiple myeloma
Hint: The American Cancer Society defines multiple myeloma as a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Healthy plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are a type of white blood cell responsible for fighting infection by producing antibodies.
With 4D simulation, the 4th dimension refers to:
Breathing motion.
Internal organ motion.
Lateral table movement.
Superior to inferior table movement.
Breathing motion.
Hint: In 4D CT, the motion of the breathing cycle is acquired. Based on the breathing motion, the tumor may get 4D treatment, if reproducible breathing on the patient’s part can be replicated on a regular wave.
In the radiation treatment of a Wilms tumor, why would the field extend over to the other side of the spine opposite the kidney affected?
To prevent spread to the other kidney
Because most of Wilms tumors are bilateral
To treat contralateral lymph nodes
To allow for symmetrical growth in the spine
To allow for symmetrical growth in the spine
Hint: Wilms tumors most commonly occur in children. Therefore you do not want to cause scoliosis by treating only half of a vertebral body.
At the CT scanner, pitch can be defined as:
The median number of Hounsfield numbers displayed in the image.
The range of CT numbers displayed in the image.
The number of reconstructions completed.
Table travel per rotation / scan length.
Table travel per rotation / scan length.
Hint: CT window is the range of Hounsfield numbers displayed in an image, while CT level is the center HU displayed.
The surgical technique used in testicular cancer patients is termed a:
Lumpectomy.
Radical orchiectomy.
Radical prostatectomy.
Testicularectomy.
Radical orchiectomy.
Hint: With testicular cancer, the entire testicle must be removed through an inguinal incision. The procedure is called a radical orchiectomy.
The use of bolus materials:
Increases skin sparing.
Decreases skin sparing.
Provides immobilization .
Relieves effects of skin irritation
Decreases skin sparing.
Hint: Bolus is used in order to increase the dose at the surface of the patient, thus decreasing skin sparing.
Palpation of the cricoid cartilage indicates the inferior border of the:
Oral cavity.
Oropharynx.
Larynx.
Hypopharynx.
Larynx.
Hint: The field borders for a larynx treatment are superior: hyoid inferior: cricoid anterior: 2 cm of flash and posterior: anterior to the vertebral body.
A patient who has been on treatment for 2 weeks refuses to continue treatments due to the side effects. The radiation therapist should:
Tell the patient to go home.
Discontinue treatment for the day. Have the patient see the MD.
Cancel all remaining treaments for the patient.
Continue with set up and treat the patient.
Discontinue treatment for the day. Have the patient see the MD.
Hint: You can never treat a patient who is refusing treatment. However, the patient should consult with the doctor in order to fully understand the ramifications of discontinued treatment.
Universal Precautions requires:
Treatment of all patients as if they were contagious.
Wearing of gloves for all hospital procedures.
Notification of health care personnel of any possibly contagious patient conditions prior to patient contact.
Isolation precautions to be taken for all inpatient rooms.
Treatment of all patients as if they were contagious.
The ____________ dose is the total dose that will significantly increase the probability of severe normal tissue reactions.
time
survival
lethal
tolerance
tolerance
The typical radiation dose to the prostate post operatively is:
50 - 55 Gy to 200 cGy/fx
65 - 70 Gy to 200 cGy/fx
72 - 76 Gy to 200 Gy/fx
75 - 80 cGy to 200 cGy/fx
65 - 70 Gy to 200 cGy/fx
Hint: Usually a dose of 64.8 to 70.2 Gy at 180cGy to 200cGy per fx is given post op. If adjuvant treatment is given then the dose will typically be 60 - 66Gy at 180cGy/fx. If salvage treatment is used, patient will treat to 70 Gy at 200cGy/fx.
What is a normal systolic blood pressure reading?
below 120 mm Hg
120-130 mm Hg
130-140 mm Hg
140-150 mm Hg
below 120 mm Hg
Future Flash cards: A normal systolic blood pressure for an adult is below 120 mm Hg. A reading of 120-129 is elevated. 130-139 is stage 1 high blood pressure. 140 or higher is stage 2 hypertension. 180 or more is a hypertensive crisis and requires immediate emergency medical attention.
Which area of a treatment room is considered a secondary barrier?
Floor
Ceiling
Wall
Treatment couch
Treatment couch
More info: The couch is considered a secondary barrier because it only receives leakage radiation from the treatment head, or scattered radiation from the patient.
Single rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) should be performed by giving ______?
15 chest compressions followed by 1 breath
15 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths
30 chest compressions followed by 1 breath
30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths
30 chest compressions followed by 2 breaths
Need to know:
The compression-ventilation ratio without an advanced airway for both adults and pediatric victims is 30:2 with a single rescuer. For 2 or more rescuers in adult victims the ratio is still 30:2 but for children and infants the ratio is 15:2
Cerrobend is made up of what materials?
Bismuth, lead, tin, and aluminum
Bismuth, lead, tin, and cadmium
Lead, copper, aluminum, and tin
Lead, aluminum, bismuth, and copper
Bismuth, lead, tin, and cadmium
The chest compression to ventilation ratio for a single rescuer giving CPR to an adult patient is:
15: 1
15: 2
30: 1
30: 2
30:2
Which agency controls and limits the use of radioactive materials?
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The NRC was created by congress in 1974 to ensure the safe use of radioactive materials in all civilian areas, while protecting people and the environment.
A seizure can be described as:
Flailing of the limbs.
The flexing of muscles.
The uncontrolled movement of muscles.
Body spasms.
The uncontrolled movement of muscles.
A seizure is defined as a sudden episode of transient neurologic symptoms such as involuntary muscle movements, sensory disturbances and altered consciousness.
In digital imaging, the pixel number (2D) and the voxels (3D) are important in image quality. In which situation would you find the highest image resolution?
Having a low number of pixels and a high number of voxels
512 x 512 matrix
1024 x 1024 matrix
1920 x 1080 matrix
1920 x 1080 matrix
Reasoning: Having a greater number of pixels in the matrix will produce a higher quality/resolution of the image. Also needed is a more powerful computer to do the reconstruction of these high resolution quality images. In therapy, the higher resolution is needed to reconstruct CT data for DRR’s needed for treatments.
Upon completion of CT simulation, the data needs to be transferred to the dosimetry treatment planning system to enable a treatment plan and calculation to be completed. What vehicle would be used to send the data to the planning system?
DIBH
DICOM
HR-7
PACS
DICOM
An increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue is defined as:
Metaplasia
Dysplasia
Hypertrophy
Hyperplasia
Hyperplasia
Hyperplasia, or hypergenesis, is defined as an increase in the amount of organic tissue that results from cell proliferation. It is often an initial stage in the development of cancer. Dysplasia denotes the presence of cells of an abnormal type within a tissue. It also may signify the development of cancer. Hypertrophy refers to the enlargement of an organ or tissue as a result of an increase in the size of its cells. Metaplasia is the abnormal change in the nature of a tissue.
Which vertebral body is adjacent to the base of the heart?
T1
T2
T3
T4
T4
More info: The base of the heart is located at the level of T4, which is also at the level of the superior vena cava.
The sum of all weighted equivalent doses for all irradiated tissues or organs is defined as ________ dose.
dose area
air kerma
equivalent
effective
effective
NCRP Report #116 defines effective dose and quantifies the overall potential harm for risk of radiation damage.
All of the following are considered cancers of the blood EXCEPT:
lymphoma.
leukemia.
multiple myeloma.
sarcoma.
sarcoma.
More info: Cancers of the blood are divided into three main types: leukemia, lyphoma, and myeloma. Leukemia is found in the blood and bone marrow and is caused by numerous abnormal white blood cells that are not able to fight infection. Lymphoma affects the lymph nodes and lymphatic system. Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. Sarcomas are cancers of the connective tissue, not cancer of the blood.
If a prostate was being treated with an anterior arc, what would happen if the lasers were lined up 1 cm posterior to the central axis of the tumor?
There would be geometric target miss
There would be an overdose to the bladder and rectum
The prostate would be better covered by the isodose lines
The patient would experience greater acute side effects
There would be geometric target miss
Hint: If the lasers are not on the isocenter, the entire field would be off of target by 1 cm making the rectum have a higher dose and possibly missing the anterior portion of the prostate.
To perform an action that benefits others is:
veracity.
justice.
nonmaleficence.
beneficence.
beneficence.
Def: Beneficence is to perform an action that benefits others or to do good for the patient.
The duty to tell the truth and avoid deception is:
veracity.
justice.
nonmaleficence.
beneficence.
veracity.
By definition: veracity is the avoidance of lying, deception, and misrepresentation.
What does the inverse square factor correct for when performing a calculation?
Change in field size
Change in output
Change in treatment machine
Change in distance
Change in distance
When referring to the inverse square factor, as the distance from the source of the radiation increases, the intensity of the radiation decreases. By definition if you double your distance the intensity of your beam decreases by ¼ its original amount. This is a function of the change in distance. When this occurs you must add
Which condition would only require standard precautions?
Virus
Pertussis
Clostridium difficile
MRSA
Virus
A virus would only require standard precautions because it isn’t necessarily spread by only one method. The other options have more specific guidelines, such as contact precautions for MRSA.
Tissue maximum ratios (TMR) are determined by which of the following?
Blocking in field
Dose in air
Dose at a depth
Scatter from collimator
Dose at a depth
issue Phantom Ratio (TPR) is defined as the absorbed dose in tissue to the absorbed dose at the same point at a reference depth. The reference depth can be 5 cm, or 10 cm, determined by physics but if this reference dose is at Dmax, it is called TMR or Tissue Maximum Ratio.
In arc or rotational treatment fields, the gantry moves while delivering radiation. How do conformal arcs differ from standard arc treatments?
Jaws change while the gantry is moving
Lower dose is delivered at field edges
Localizing the target volume is localized between arcs
No image verification is needed
Jaws change while the gantry is moving
Which of the following are uses for a Geiger-Muller counter? Please select all that apply.
detect radioactivity
survey background radiation
measure radiation dose
estimate occupational dose limits
detect radioactivity
survey background radiation
Hint: Geiger-Muller counters are more sensitive than ionization chambers but are not used to measure radiation dose and can detect individual photons or particles. Used primarily to detect the presence of radiation.
Lymphatic drainage from the lateral side of the breast filters to the _________nodes.
Supraclavicular
Internal mammary
Axillary
Paratracheal
Axillary
Study: Drainage from the lateral breast goes to the axillary lymph nodes because of the close proximity. This is the reason for sentinal node biopsy, as the majority of breast tumors are located in the upper outer quadrant.
When treating a patient in partial arcs, the maximum amount of radiation is pulled away from the prescribed target volume. For this reason, the isocenter will NOT be getting the correct prescribed dose. How is this fixed in treatment planning?
Add an additional field to the plan
Place isocenter on the anterior skin surface
Speed up the dose rate of the arc
Use past pointing technique
Use past pointing technique
Hint: With this technique, the isocenter is placed past or beyond the tumor volume. This will allow for a more even dose distribution to the prescribed target. The isocenter is usually placed a few centimeters posterior to the target.
The tolerance for daily electron output on the linear accelerator is:
2%
2 mm
3%
3 mm
3%
Daily electron output should be within 3% of the standard reading. Electron output should be checked daily for all electron energies, typically with a 10 x 10 cm cone without any blocking. Typically, 100 MUs are delivered.