Basic Radiation Protection

Question 1

True or False

Sound waves are NOT EMR (electromagnetic radiation)

Answer 1

True

Question 2

List 4 types of EMR

Answer 2

1. X-rays and gamma rays
2. Ultraviolet
3. Visible light
4. Infrared

Question 3

Define Radiation

Answer 3

Transfer of energy

Question 4

Define exposed (irradiated)

Answer 4

Matter that intercepts radiation, absorbs some/all of it

Question 5

Define ionization or ionizing radiation

Answer 5

Removal of an electron from an atom

+atom
-electron
___________
= ion pair

Question 6

List the forms of EMR that can ionize matter (there’s 3)

Answer 6

1. X-rays
2. Gamma rays
3. High energy UV (UVC)

Question 7

List 2 main categories of ionizing radiation

Answer 7

1. Natural/environmental
2. Man-made

Question 8

List 4 NATURAL radiations

Answer 8

Cosmic
Terrestrial
Internally deposited
Radon

Question 9

Define cosmic radiation (natural)

Answer 9

EMR emitted from sun and stars

Intensity increases with altitude and latitude

Question 10

Define terrestrial radiation (natural)

Answer 10

Comes from the earth.
Deposits uranium, thorium, and other radionuclides

Question 11

What is the LARGEST source of natural radiation?

Answer 11

Radon

Question 12

Describe internally deposited radionuclides (natural radiation)

Answer 12

Incorporated through ingestion, inhalation, injection and implants

Main source is potassium 40

Question 13

Gas produced by decay of uranium. What am I?

Answer 13

Radon

Question 14

List types of man-made radiation:

Answer 14

1. Diagnostic x-ray
2. Smoke detectors
3. Nuclear power generators

Question 15

What year was X-ray discovered?

Answer 15

1895

Question 16

Who discovered X-ray?

Answer 16

Roentgen

Question 17

Discuss the reports of early radiation. List symptoms:

Answer 17

Skin damage
Anemia
Loss of hair

Question 18

Define filter and filtration:

Answer 18

A filter is a device that removes low energy X-ray photons that have NO diagnostic value

Filtration is the actual process

Question 19

Define collimation and collimator:

Answer 19

-Radiation safety device.
-Underneath the X-ray tube that shows where the radiation is being directed.
-Set of lead shutters

Question 20

Less time, more distance, shielding is considered what?

Answer 20

Cardinal principles of radiation protection control

Question 21

What does ALARA stand for?

Answer 21

As low as reasonably achievable

Question 22

Describe the cardinal principles of radiation protection:

Answer 22

Less time spent near source (less radiation)
Greater distance from source
Always shield from source

Question 23

Briefly describe ISO exposure lines

Answer 23

** time distance shielding **
mGya (Air kerma)

Question 24

List several ways of reducing unnecessary patient dose:

Answer 24

Unnecessary examinations
Emergency room CT
Mass screening for TB
Hospital admission chest x-ray

Question 25

At what point in pregnancy is it the most sensitive to radiation exposure?

Answer 25

2-10 weeks

Question 26

The severity of the potential response of an unborn baby to radiation is ____ and ____ related.

Answer 26

time and dose

Question 27

How can we reduce the chances of exposing a pregnant patient?

Answer 27

Elective booking (patient choice) Patient questionnaire (28 day rule) Posting signs (are you pregnant..)

Question 28

What is the average patient radiation dose of today per year?

Answer 28

3.2 mSv PER YEAR

Question 29

List the current estimated levels of human radiation:

Answer 29

Natural: 3mSv Medical Imaging: 3.2 mSv Other: .1 mSv Total = 6.3 mSv

Question 30

What is the annual dose for occupational exposure

Answer 30

50 mSv

Question 31

What is the annual dose for education and training exposure?

Answer 31

1mSv

Question 32

What is the total dose for embryo-fetus exposure?

Answer 32

5 mSv

Question 33

What is the equivalent dose for tissues and organs? Lens of the eye : Thyroid skin hands and feet:

Answer 33

Lens of the eye 150 mSv Thyroid skin hands and feet 500 mSv

Question 34

How do we reduce occupational radiation?

Answer 34

Minimize X-ray beam on time Maximize distance Maximize shielding

Question 35

95% of occupational exposure comes from:

Answer 35

Mobile and fluoro

Question 36

What does KERMA stand for:

Answer 36

Kinetic energy released per unit of mass of air

Question 37

Kerma = Roentgen What is the SI unit?

Answer 37

mGya or Gya (SI unit)

Question 38

What does Kerma Measure?

Answer 38

Radiation intensity in the air

Question 39

After Kerma comes ___

Answer 39

RAD : Radiation absorbed dose

Question 40

What is RAD (radiation absorbed dose) and its SI unit?

Answer 40

SI unit is mGyt (T stands for tissue) or Gyt Measures how much radiation is in the tissue

Question 41

KERMA —> RAD —> ____

Answer 41

REM or (SV - Sievert)

Question 42

What is REM and what is the SI unit

Answer 42

REM is radiation equivalent man (SV is SI unit) Measuring what happens in the body Or Quantity of radiation received

Question 43

What is Becquerel ?

Answer 43

SI unit - Bq - quantity of radioactive material, not radiation emitted. - Has nothing to do with X-ray