Basic Principles of Radiology Flashcards
X-rays travel in _____ lines, and cannot be seen in the _______ ________ ________?
Straight, visible light spectrum.
What are the three basic components necessary for the production of X-rays in a X-ray tube?
- ) Cathode and tungsten filament to supply electrons.
- ) A high voltage to accelerate electrons.
- ) An anode (or target focal spot) on which the electrons are focused and where they interact to generate X-rays.
What is Primary Radiation?
The main beam or X-ray energy emitted from the X-ray tube head. This records an image on the X-ray film.
What is Secondary Radiation?
Occurs when primary radiation collides with matter. Another form of this is scatter radiation.
What kind of wave lengths do low energy X-rays have, and what is the disadvantage of them?
Longer wavelengths, and they have a lower penetration power, and represent a radiation hazard.
An aluminum disk filters out less penetrating rays before they leave the X-ray machine, while letting the more penetrating rays through. What is the thickness of this aluminum disk?
2mm to 2.5mm.
What is the size of the film that is illuminated, in inches?
1-1/4 x 1-5/8 inches.
What does Collimation do?
Limits the size of the X-ray beam located within the X-ray tube.
What controls the quality, or penetrating power of the X-ray?
The kVp. (Kilvolt peak)
What controls the quantity of X-rays produced?
The mA. (Milliamperage)
What is a normal/acceptable range for the kVp?
50 kVp to 100 kVp.
What is a normal/acceptable rang for the mA?
5 mA to 15 mA.
When are X-rays produced?
When the electrons strike the target.
What does the extension arm do?
Allows for positioning of the tube head.
What is the purpose of the Tube Head?
Mental housing device that protects the X-ray tube from damage and shock from over heating.
Explain what the PID looks like and what it does.
Open-ended, lead lined port, through which the central X-ray beam exits.
PID’s come in 2 types of shapes. What are they?
- ) Cylindrical
2. ) Rectangular
What does the rectangular shaped PID do, that the cylindrical PID does not do?
Reduces the amount of eadiation exposure to the patient.
The longer the PID, the _______ radiation exposure to the patient.
Less.
What does the aluminum filter do?
Absorbs the poor quality radiation (long wavelength)
What are 3 things that need to be considered in regards to each individual patient, before exposing them to radiographs?
- ) Pregnancy
- ) Past or current radiation therapy
- ) Availability or previous radiographs
