Ch. 10 Radiation Protection Procedures for Patients and Personnel Flashcards
What does ICRP stand for?
International Commission on Radiological Protection
What is the role of NCRP?
National Council on Radiation Protection
What does NAS-BEIR represent?
National Academy of Sciences Advisory Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation
What does UNSCEAR stand for?
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation
What is the NRC?
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
What does the FDA stand for?
US Food and Drug Administration
What is the occupational exposure limit set by NCRP?
50 mSv
What is the annual public exposure limit?
1 mSv per year
What is the total gestation exposure limit for embryo/fetus?
5 mSv (0.5 mSv/month of gestation)
What is the annual exposure limit for education and training?
1 mSv for trainees
What does ALARA stand for?
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
What are the main procedures that give occupational exposure?
Fluoroscopy, Mobile C-Arm, Cardiac lab, Swing lab, Mobile radiography, GI studies
True or False: The patient should be held during an exposure.
False
What is leakage radiation?
Radiation coming from the tube that is secondary radiation
What constitutes secondary radiation?
Leakage + scatter radiation
Where is lead typically found in general diagnostic x-ray rooms?
In the walls of the control room
Fill in the blank: The primary beam should only expose the _______.
patient
What are the three principles of personnel exposure reduction?
- Time
- Distance
- Shielding
These principles help minimize radiation exposure in medical and industrial settings.
How can reducing time in a radiation area help reduce exposure?
It minimizes the duration of exposure to radiation sources.
This principle is particularly important in areas where radiation is present, such as during fluoroscopy or mobile imaging.
What is the effect of increasing distance from a radiation source according to the inverse square law?
If you double your distance, you decrease your exposure by 4x.
This law emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe distance from radiation sources.
What is the purpose of shielding in radiation protection?
To block radiation when time and distance cannot be used.
Shielding devices include lead aprons, thyroid shields, lead gloves, and lead glasses.
What are primary barriers in radiation protection?
Structures that could be struck by the primary beam.
What are secondary barriers in radiation protection?
Structures that will only be struck by leakage or scatter.
Fill in the blank: Protective devices are used when it is not possible to stand behind a _______.
lead wall.
What are some examples of protective barriers?
- Walls
- Portable walls
- Doors
These structures help prevent radiation from affecting areas occupied by personnel.
What is beam limitation in radiology?
Always have the size of your x-ray beam to match the size of the detector
What does PBL stand for in radiology?
Positive Beam Limitation
This is an automatic feature that adjusts the x-ray beam size.
What is collimation?
Field size adjustment of the x-ray beam
Proper collimation reduces patient tissue exposure.
What does mAs stand for in radiology?
Milliamperage seconds
This measures the quantity of x-ray photons produced.
What is the relationship between mAs and x-ray exposure?
Higher mAs increases the quantity of x-ray photons
Example: 20 mAs vs. 80 mAs.
What does kVp stand for?
Kilovoltage peak
This indicates the quality (energy) of x-ray photons.
What is the recommended minimum tube filtration for x-ray equipment operating over 70 kVp?
2.5 mm Al/equivalent
This filtration removes low energy photons that do not provide diagnostic quality.
What is the purpose of tube filtration?
To filter out low energy photons before they reach the patient’s skin surface
What is the effect of using a grid in radiology?
Absorbs unwanted scatter radiation, improving image quality
Grids are recommended for larger body parts (10 cm or more).
What happens to the technique (mAs) when using a grid?
Must increase the technique (mAs)
This compensates for the absorption of useful radiation by the grid.
True or False: Low energy photons have diagnostic quality.
False
Low energy photons are absorbed by the patient and can cause biological harm.
What is gonadal shielding?
Using lead to cover and block radiation to the reproductive cells and organs
Name the three types of gonadal shields.
- Flat (contact)
- Shaped (contact)
- Shadow Shield
What is a flat (contact) gonadal shield?
A piece of lead used to cover reproductive organs
What is a shaped (contact) gonadal shield?
A shield similar to an athletic cup, used only for males
What is a shadow shield?
Lead placed in the part of the beam that would hit gonads
What factors affect image receptor radiation requirements?
Some detectors require less radiation, while others require more to create the image
What is the relationship between the speed of the receptor, technique, and patient dose?
Increased speed of receptor = decreased technique = decreased pt dose
Decreased speed of receptor = increased technique = increased pt dose
What is the difference between PA and AP projections?
PA (posteroanterior = back to front) vs AP (anteroposterior = front to back) refers to where the primary beam enters, affecting radiation dose
What happens to patient dose when radiographic images are repeated?
When you repeat, you double patient dose
How often must X-ray units be tested?
1-2 times per year
What must be ensured during X-ray unit testing?
X-ray output must be accurate
What options are available for a pregnant worker in radiology?
- Option to declare pregnancy
- Option to change work schedule (mobile, fluoro)
- Wear a fetal dosimeter on waist under apron
What should be questioned regarding pregnant patients?
Question on LMP or pregnancy
What is organogenesis and its significance?
Organogenesis is when fetal organs are forming (stem cells) and occurs from 8-15 weeks of gestation, marking the maximum radiosensitive window as organs are forming
What is the risk of spontaneous abortion related to gestation?
Spontaneous abortion can occur up to 6 weeks of gestation, with a higher likelihood between days 1-3 weeks
True or False: Radiation exposure is less critical during the first trimester of pregnancy.
False