Basic Radiation Protection Flashcards
True or False
Sound waves are NOT EMR (electromagnetic radiation)
True
List 4 types of EMR
- X-rays and gamma rays
- Ultraviolet
- Visible light
- Infrared
Define Radiation
Transfer of energy
Define exposed (irradiated)
Matter that intercepts radiation, absorbs some/all of it
Define ionization or ionizing radiation
Removal of an electron from an atom
+atom
-electron
___________
= ion pair
List the forms of EMR that can ionize matter (there’s 3)
- X-rays
- Gamma rays
- High energy UV (UVC)
List 2 main categories of ionizing radiation
- Natural/environmental
- Man-made
List 4 NATURAL radiations
Cosmic
Terrestrial
Internally deposited
Radon
Define cosmic radiation (natural)
EMR emitted from sun and stars
Intensity increases with altitude and latitude
Define terrestrial radiation (natural)
Comes from the earth.
Deposits uranium, thorium, and other radionuclides
What is the LARGEST source of natural radiation?
Radon
Describe internally deposited radionuclides (natural radiation)
Incorporated through ingestion, inhalation, injection and implants
Main source is potassium 40
Gas produced by decay of uranium. What am I?
Radon
List types of man-made radiation:
- Diagnostic x-ray
- Smoke detectors
- Nuclear power generators
What year was X-ray discovered?
1895
Who discovered X-ray?
Roentgen
Discuss the reports of early radiation. List symptoms:
Skin damage
Anemia
Loss of hair
Define filter and filtration:
A filter is a device that removes low energy X-ray photons that have NO diagnostic value
Filtration is the actual process
Define collimation and collimator:
-Radiation safety device.
-Underneath the X-ray tube that shows where the radiation is being directed.
-Set of lead shutters
Less time, more distance, shielding is considered what?
Cardinal principles of radiation protection control
What does ALARA stand for?
As low as reasonably achievable
Describe the cardinal principles of radiation protection:
Less time spent near source (less radiation)
Greater distance from source
Always shield from source
Briefly describe ISO exposure lines
** time distance shielding **
mGya (Air kerma)
List several ways of reducing unnecessary patient dose:
Unnecessary examinations
Emergency room CT
Mass screening for TB
Hospital admission chest x-ray
At what point in pregnancy is it the most sensitive to radiation exposure?
2-10 weeks
The severity of the potential response of an unborn baby to radiation is ____ and ____ related.
time and dose
How can we reduce the chances of exposing a pregnant patient?
Elective booking (patient choice)
Patient questionnaire (28 day rule)
Posting signs (are you pregnant..)
What is the average patient radiation dose of today per year?
3.2 mSv PER YEAR
List the current estimated levels of human radiation:
Natural: 3mSv
Medical Imaging: 3.2 mSv
Other: .1 mSv
Total = 6.3 mSv
What is the annual dose for occupational exposure
50 mSv
What is the annual dose for education and training exposure?
1mSv
What is the total dose for embryo-fetus exposure?
5 mSv
What is the equivalent dose for tissues and organs?
Lens of the eye :
Thyroid skin hands and feet:
Lens of the eye 150 mSv
Thyroid skin hands and feet 500 mSv
How do we reduce occupational radiation?
Minimize X-ray beam on time
Maximize distance
Maximize shielding
95% of occupational exposure comes from:
Mobile and fluoro
What does KERMA stand for:
Kinetic energy released per unit of mass of air
Kerma = Roentgen
What is the SI unit?
mGya or Gya (SI unit)
What does Kerma Measure?
Radiation intensity in the air
After Kerma comes ___
RAD : Radiation absorbed dose
What is RAD (radiation absorbed dose) and its SI unit?
SI unit is mGyt (T stands for tissue) or Gyt
Measures how much radiation is in the tissue
KERMA —> RAD —> ____
REM or (SV - Sievert)
What is REM and what is the SI unit
REM is radiation equivalent man (SV is SI unit)
Measuring what happens in the body
Or
Quantity of radiation received
What is Becquerel ?
SI unit - Bq
- quantity of radioactive material, not radiation emitted.
- Has nothing to do with X-ray
