Domain III - Radiation Safety for Patients and Operators

Question 1

________ is associated with large doses of radiation in a short amount of time.

Answer 1

Short-Term Effects

Question 2

What is the acronym used to reduce the radiation exposure to patients?

Answer 2

ALARA (As Low As Reasonable Achievable)

Question 3

True or False: Radiosensitive is a cell that is sensitive to radiation such as blood cells and reproductive cells.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What are cells that are resistant to radiation such as bone, muscle, and nerves known as?

Answer 4

Radioresistant

Question 5

What is the most effective method of reducing patient exposure to radiation?

Answer 5

Lead Apron

Question 6

Patients who refuse radiographs can ____

a. still be seen
b. cannot be treated by the dentist unless approved
c. give xrays to them anyway

Answer 6

b. cannot be treated by the dentist unless approved

Question 7

A ________ suit cannot be formed by the patient if the dentist refuses to treat.

Answer 7

Malpractice

Question 8

What is consent given by a patient following complete disclosure?

Answer 8

Informed Consent

Question 9

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

Answer 9

d. all of the above

Question 10

what are the five types of questions usually asked by a patient who has concerns about getting radiographs?

Answer 10

Necessity questions, exposure questions, safety questions, digital imaging questions, miscellaneous questions

Question 11

Identify sources of x-radiation to operators/ other staff while exposing image receptors

Answer 11

Scattered radiation and secondary radiation

Question 12

Identify safety measures to reduce operator x-ray exposure

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Scattered radiation

Answer 13

radiation that has been deviated in direction while passing through a part. It may include secondary Radiation

Question 14

Secondary radiation

Answer 14

Formed when the primary X-rays strike the patient or come in contact with any matter or substance

Question 15

film badge

Answer 15

a device that measures the approximate amount of radiation received in a given period of time by people who work with radiation

Question 16

Pocket Dosimeter

Answer 16

used primarily when working with large amounts of radiation and when a daily reading is desired

Question 17

Rules of radiation protection for the operator include all of the following

Answer 17

1. never stand in direct line of the primary beam
2. always stand behind a drywall or behind lead
3. stay 6 feet away
4. and monitor radiation exposure

Question 18

What is the maximum permissible dose of radiation for occupationally exposed workers?

Answer 18

5 REM/ year

Question 19

Who should wear dosimeter badges?

Answer 19

all dental staff

Question 20

The use of lead aprons are for?

Answer 20

it is placed over the patient’s abdomen to protect the reproductive organs from possible scattered radiation

Question 21

How much amount of lead is effective in protecting the patient

Answer 21

0.25 mm of lead

Question 22

What is a must with lead aprons?

Answer 22

always keep unbent and hung up straight to prevent cracks

Question 23

Thyroid collars are also a must

Answer 23

because the protect the thyroid gland and other radiation-sensitive tissues

Question 24

Patient protection from x-radiation

Answer 24

1. use the lowest possible level for x-ray
2. avoid retakes
3. before exposure: use of proper prescribing of dental images
4. before exposure: use of proper equipment
5. during exposure: use of thread collar
6. during exposure: use of lead apron
7. during exposure: use of fast film or digital sensor
8. during exposure: use of beam alignment
9. during exposure: proper selection of exposure factors
10. during exposure: excellent technique
11. film based imaging:p use meticulous handling and processing techniques

Question 25

Operator protection from x-radiation

Answer 25

1. avoid the primary beam (6 feet of stand behind a wall)
2. maintain adequate distance (6 feet)
3. maintain proper positioning
4. maintain proper shielding form x-rays during procedures
5. use of radiation monitoring badge to measure and identify any excessive occupational exposure

Question 26

X-ray machine factors influencing safety

Answer 26

1. aluminum disks-filter out non-penetrating long wavelength x-rays
2. led collimator-restricts the size of the x-ray beam
3. PID aims & shapes the x-ray beam, the longer the better-reduces scatter radiation

Question 27

Primary radiation

Answer 27

penetrating x-ray beam that is produced at the target of the anode

Question 28

Secondary radiation

Answer 28

created when the primary radiation interacts with matter (soft tissue) and is less penetrating than primary radiation

Question 29

Scatter radiation

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

Kilovoltage kVp

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

Lowered kVp, Increases kVp

Answer 31

low=lighter image

high=darker image

Question 32

Milliamperage mA

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Lowered mA, Increased mA

Answer 33

low=lighter image

high=darker image

Question 34

Exposure time

Answer 34

affects the number of x-rays produced (similar to mA)

Question 35

T or F

Inherent filtration does not meet regulation standards

Answer 35

True

Question 36

Tota filtration

Answer 36

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

Question 37

_____ _______ should be incorporated into the office wall design to absorb the primary beam and scatter radiation

Answer 37

Protective barriers

Question 38

Handling malfunctions

Answer 38

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