Domain III - Radiation Safety for Patients and Operators Flashcards
________ is associated with large doses of radiation in a short amount of time.
Short-Term Effects
What is the acronym used to reduce the radiation exposure to patients?
ALARA (As Low As Reasonable Achievable)
True or False: Radiosensitive is a cell that is sensitive to radiation such as blood cells and reproductive cells.
True
What are cells that are resistant to radiation such as bone, muscle, and nerves known as?
Radioresistant
What is the most effective method of reducing patient exposure to radiation?
Lead Apron
Patients who refuse radiographs can ____
a. still be seen
b. cannot be treated by the dentist unless approved
c. give xrays to them anyway
b. cannot be treated by the dentist unless approved
A ________ suit cannot be formed by the patient if the dentist refuses to treat.
Malpractice
What is consent given by a patient following complete disclosure?
Informed Consent
What question should the dental radiographer be prepared to answer to the patient?
a. why images are important
b. how they are used
c. how they benefit
d. all of the above
d. all of the above
what are the five types of questions usually asked by a patient who has concerns about getting radiographs?
Necessity questions, exposure questions, safety questions, digital imaging questions, miscellaneous questions
Identify sources of x-radiation to operators/ other staff while exposing image receptors
Scattered radiation and secondary radiation
Identify safety measures to reduce operator x-ray exposure
radiation monitoring system: a device used to determine the amount of radiation exposure to the operator
3 different types: 1. A film badge 2. Pocket dosimeter 3. thermoluminescent device
Scattered radiation
radiation that has been deviated in direction while passing through a part. It may include secondary Radiation
Secondary radiation
Formed when the primary X-rays strike the patient or come in contact with any matter or substance
film badge
a device that measures the approximate amount of radiation received in a given period of time by people who work with radiation
Pocket Dosimeter
used primarily when working with large amounts of radiation and when a daily reading is desired
Rules of radiation protection for the operator include all of the following
- never stand in direct line of the primary beam
- always stand behind a drywall or behind lead
- stay 6 feet away
- and monitor radiation exposure
What is the maximum permissible dose of radiation for occupationally exposed workers?
5 REM/ year
Who should wear dosimeter badges?
all dental staff
The use of lead aprons are for?
it is placed over the patient’s abdomen to protect the reproductive organs from possible scattered radiation
How much amount of lead is effective in protecting the patient
0.25 mm of lead
What is a must with lead aprons?
always keep unbent and hung up straight to prevent cracks
Thyroid collars are also a must
because the protect the thyroid gland and other radiation-sensitive tissues
Patient protection from x-radiation
- use the lowest possible level for x-ray
- avoid retakes
- before exposure: use of proper prescribing of dental images
- before exposure: use of proper equipment
- during exposure: use of thread collar
- during exposure: use of lead apron
- during exposure: use of fast film or digital sensor
- during exposure: use of beam alignment
- during exposure: proper selection of exposure factors
- during exposure: excellent technique
- film based imaging:p use meticulous handling and processing techniques
Operator protection from x-radiation
- avoid the primary beam (6 feet of stand behind a wall)
- maintain adequate distance (6 feet)
- maintain proper positioning
- maintain proper shielding form x-rays during procedures
- use of radiation monitoring badge to measure and identify any excessive occupational exposure
X-ray machine factors influencing safety
- aluminum disks-filter out non-penetrating long wavelength x-rays
- led collimator-restricts the size of the x-ray beam
- PID aims & shapes the x-ray beam, the longer the better-reduces scatter radiation
Primary radiation
penetrating x-ray beam that is produced at the target of the anode
Secondary radiation
created when the primary radiation interacts with matter (soft tissue) and is less penetrating than primary radiation
Scatter radiation
results when an x-ray has been deflected from its path by an interaction with matter, can travel to other parts of the patient’s body and all over the dental op.
Kilovoltage kVp
regulates the penetrating power of the x-ray beam by controlling the s p e e d that the electrons travel at between the cathode and anode. Higher kVp produce more penetrating (more energy) short wavelength x-rays.
Lowered kVp, Increases kVp
low=lighter image
high=darker image
Milliamperage mA
regulates penetrating power of the beam by controlling the n u m b e r of electrons produced. High milliamperage produces more energy and intensity
Lowered mA, Increased mA
low=lighter image
high=darker image
Exposure time
affects the number of x-rays produced (similar to mA)
T or F
Inherent filtration does not meet regulation standards
True
Tota filtration
equals inherent plus added filtration. Machines operating at or below 70 kVp need 1.5 mm of filtration operating above 70 kVp needs 2.5mm of aluminum filtration
_____ _______ should be incorporated into the office wall design to absorb the primary beam and scatter radiation
Protective barriers
Handling malfunctions
use devices to check if the x-ray equipment is leaking, if the machine is not staying in place call the manufacture right away to fix the issue and avoid excess exposure
