Health and safety requirements for diagnostic imaging Flashcards
what are three potential sources of x-ray exposure?
- the tube head
- the primary beam
- scatter radiation
what is scatter radiation?
- a type of secondary radiation
- produced when the x-ray beam is intercepted by an object in its path
how can you reduce scatter radiation?
collimating using the light beam diaphragm
What does ALARA mean?
as low as reasonably achievable
What are the 3 basic principles of ALARA?
- exposure to personnel should be kept to a minimum
- no dose limit should ever be exceeded
- unnecessary procedures should not be performed
What does kV stand for and what does it mean?
Kilovoltage - penetrative power of the x-ray beam
What does mAs stand for and what does it mean?
milliampere-seconds - the number of x-rays produced
What are the four radiation effects?
- invisible
- painless
- latent
- cumulative
What are some physical effects that radiation has on the human body?
- damages reproductive organs
- damages developing foetus
- damages hematopoietic system
What are some acute effects of radiation?
- V + D
- pancytopenia (low number of red and white blood cells and platelets)
What are some chronic effects of radiation?
- somatic effects (burns, liver damage)
- genetic effects
- carcinogenic effects
who is the government body that carry out inspections and investigations to enforce regulations?
- Health and safety executive
What does RPS stand for?
radiation protection supervisor
What does the RPS do?
take charge of routine protection procedures and devise local rules
What does the RPA do?
assists setting up local rules and safe working practices
