Ch. 10 Radiation Protection Procedures for Patients and Personnel

Question 1

What does ICRP stand for?

Answer 1

International Commission on Radiological Protection

Question 2

What is the role of NCRP?

Answer 2

National Council on Radiation Protection

Question 3

What does NAS-BEIR represent?

Answer 3

National Academy of Sciences Advisory Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation

Question 4

What does UNSCEAR stand for?

Answer 4

United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation

Question 5

What is the NRC?

Answer 5

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Question 6

What does the FDA stand for?

Answer 6

US Food and Drug Administration

Question 7

What is the occupational exposure limit set by NCRP?

Answer 7

50 mSv

Question 8

What is the annual public exposure limit?

Answer 8

1 mSv per year

Question 9

What is the total gestation exposure limit for embryo/fetus?

Answer 9

5 mSv (0.5 mSv/month of gestation)

Question 10

What is the annual exposure limit for education and training?

Answer 10

1 mSv for trainees

Question 11

What does ALARA stand for?

Answer 11

As Low As Reasonably Achievable

Question 12

What are the main procedures that give occupational exposure?

Answer 12

Fluoroscopy, Mobile C-Arm, Cardiac lab, Swing lab, Mobile radiography, GI studies

Question 13

True or False: The patient should be held during an exposure.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

What is leakage radiation?

Answer 14

Radiation coming from the tube that is secondary radiation

Question 15

What constitutes secondary radiation?

Answer 15

Leakage + scatter radiation

Question 16

Where is lead typically found in general diagnostic x-ray rooms?

Answer 16

In the walls of the control room

Question 17

Fill in the blank: The primary beam should only expose the _______.

Answer 17

patient

Question 18

What are the three principles of personnel exposure reduction?

Answer 18

1. Time
2. Distance
3. Shielding

These principles help minimize radiation exposure in medical and industrial settings.

Question 19

How can reducing time in a radiation area help reduce exposure?

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

What is the effect of increasing distance from a radiation source according to the inverse square law?

Answer 20

If you double your distance, you decrease your exposure by 4x.

This law emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe distance from radiation sources.

Question 21

What is the purpose of shielding in radiation protection?

Answer 21

To block radiation when time and distance cannot be used.

Shielding devices include lead aprons, thyroid shields, lead gloves, and lead glasses.

Question 22

What are primary barriers in radiation protection?

Answer 22

Structures that could be struck by the primary beam.

Question 23

What are secondary barriers in radiation protection?

Answer 23

Structures that will only be struck by leakage or scatter.

Question 24

Fill in the blank: Protective devices are used when it is not possible to stand behind a _______.

Answer 24

lead wall.

Question 25

What are some examples of protective barriers?

Answer 25

1. Walls 2. Portable walls 3. Doors ## Footnote These structures help prevent radiation from affecting areas occupied by personnel.

Question 26

What is beam limitation in radiology?

Answer 26

Always have the size of your x-ray beam to match the size of the detector

Question 27

What does PBL stand for in radiology?

Answer 27

Positive Beam Limitation ## Footnote This is an automatic feature that adjusts the x-ray beam size.

Question 28

What is collimation?

Answer 28

Field size adjustment of the x-ray beam ## Footnote Proper collimation reduces patient tissue exposure.

Question 29

What does mAs stand for in radiology?

Answer 29

Milliamperage seconds ## Footnote This measures the quantity of x-ray photons produced.

Question 30

What is the relationship between mAs and x-ray exposure?

Answer 30

Higher mAs increases the quantity of x-ray photons ## Footnote Example: 20 mAs vs. 80 mAs.

Question 31

What does kVp stand for?

Answer 31

Kilovoltage peak ## Footnote This indicates the quality (energy) of x-ray photons.

Question 32

What is the recommended minimum tube filtration for x-ray equipment operating over 70 kVp?

Answer 32

2.5 mm Al/equivalent ## Footnote This filtration removes low energy photons that do not provide diagnostic quality.

Question 33

What is the purpose of tube filtration?

Answer 33

To filter out low energy photons before they reach the patient's skin surface

Question 34

What is the effect of using a grid in radiology?

Answer 34

Absorbs unwanted scatter radiation, improving image quality ## Footnote Grids are recommended for larger body parts (10 cm or more).

Question 35

What happens to the technique (mAs) when using a grid?

Answer 35

Must increase the technique (mAs) ## Footnote This compensates for the absorption of useful radiation by the grid.

Question 36

True or False: Low energy photons have diagnostic quality.

Answer 36

False ## Footnote Low energy photons are absorbed by the patient and can cause biological harm.

Question 37

What is gonadal shielding?

Answer 37

Using lead to cover and block radiation to the reproductive cells and organs

Question 38

Name the three types of gonadal shields.

Answer 38

* Flat (contact) * Shaped (contact) * Shadow Shield

Question 39

What is a flat (contact) gonadal shield?

Answer 39

A piece of lead used to cover reproductive organs

Question 40

What is a shaped (contact) gonadal shield?

Answer 40

A shield similar to an athletic cup, used only for males

Question 41

What is a shadow shield?

Answer 41

Lead placed in the part of the beam that would hit gonads

Question 42

What factors affect image receptor radiation requirements?

Answer 42

Some detectors require less radiation, while others require more to create the image

Question 43

What is the relationship between the speed of the receptor, technique, and patient dose?

Answer 43

Increased speed of receptor = decreased technique = decreased pt dose Decreased speed of receptor = increased technique = increased pt dose

Question 44

What is the difference between PA and AP projections?

Answer 44

PA (posteroanterior = back to front) vs AP (anteroposterior = front to back) refers to where the primary beam enters, affecting radiation dose

Question 45

What happens to patient dose when radiographic images are repeated?

Answer 45

When you repeat, you double patient dose

Question 46

How often must X-ray units be tested?

Answer 46

1-2 times per year

Question 47

What must be ensured during X-ray unit testing?

Answer 47

X-ray output must be accurate

Question 48

What options are available for a pregnant worker in radiology?

Answer 48

* Option to declare pregnancy * Option to change work schedule (mobile, fluoro) * Wear a fetal dosimeter on waist under apron

Question 49

What should be questioned regarding pregnant patients?

Answer 49

Question on LMP or pregnancy

Question 50

What is organogenesis and its significance?

Answer 50

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

Question 51

What is the risk of spontaneous abortion related to gestation?

Answer 51

Spontaneous abortion can occur up to 6 weeks of gestation, with a higher likelihood between days 1-3 weeks

Question 52

True or False: Radiation exposure is less critical during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Answer 52

False