Introduction to Radiation Protection

Question 1

The ability of x-rays to cause injury in normal tissue became apparent when?

Answer 1

Soon after its discovery in the early 1900’s.

Question 2

X-rays produce positively and negatively charged particles when passing through matter and are therefore called:

Answer 2

ionizing radiation.

Question 3

The production of ions is the event that may cause _____ in normal biologic tissue.

Answer 3

injury.

Question 4

Consequences of ionization in human cells:

Answer 4

• Creation of unstable atoms.
• Production of free electrons.
• Production of low-energy X-ray photons.
• Creation of reactive free radicals capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell.
• Creation of new biologic molecules detrimental to the living cell.
• Injury to the cell that may manifest as abnormal function or loss of function.

Question 5

What methods do radiologists and radiographers employ to limit radiation and minimize possibility of damage to biologic tissue?

Answer 5

Educated in safe operation of imaging equipment.
Use protective devices whenever possible.
Follow established procedures.
Select optimal technical factors.

Question 6

Radiation safety is the responsibility of:

Answer 6

imaging personel.

Question 7

Radiation Protection:

Answer 7

Effective measures employed by radiation workers to safeguard patients, personnel, and the general public from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation.

Question 8

Effective measures employed by radiation workers to safeguard patients, personnel, and the general public from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation consists of:

Answer 8

tools and techniques that minimize radiation exposure while production optimal diagnostic images.

Question 9

Harmful biologic effects:

Answer 9

Damage to living tissue of animals and humans exposed to ionizing radiation.

Question 10

Patient assumes relatively small risk of exposure to radiation to:

Answer 10

obtain diagnostic information. Benefits of the exposure to radiation outweighs slight risk of inducing a radiogenic malignancy or genetic defects.

Question 11

Diagnostic efficacy:

Answer 11

Degree to which the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in the patient.

Question 12

What is the basis for determining whether an imaging procedure or practice is justified?

Answer 12

Diagnostic efficacy.

Question 13

Occupational and nonoccupational doses (recommended by NCRP):

Answer 13

Upper boundary does of ionizing radiation that will result in a negligible (not zero) risk of bodily injury or genetic damage.

Question 14

How are occupational and nonoccupational doses best accomplished?

Answer 14

using smallest radiation exposure that produces useful images and producing optimal images with first exposure.

Question 15

ALARA is synonymous with the term:

Answer 15

Optimization for Radiation Protection (ORP)

Question 16

ORP is concepts that are intended to:

Answer 16

keep radiation exposure and dose to lowest possible level, based on evidence compiled by scientists over past century.

Question 17

ALARA philosophy should be part of health care facility’s

Answer 17

personal radiation control program.

Question 18

Dose limits have not been established for the:

Answer 18

amount of radiation patient’s receive during imaging procedures.

Question 19

Radiation induced cancer follows a ______ response so radiation exposures should always be kept ALARA.

Answer 19

nonthreshold.

Question 20

ALARA principle provides regulatory agencies a method to:

Answer 20

compare amount of radiation various health care facilities use for specific imaging procedures.

Question 21

If pts in a particular location were receiving on average approximately the same ESE for a specific imagine procedure in every health care facility in that same area:

Answer 21

then that ESE would represent the radiation exposure and consequent dose that is reasonably achieved within that specific location.

Question 22

If one of the health care facilities in an area began giving its pts higher-radiation ESEs and subsequent doses, that institution:

Answer 22

would no longer be in compliance with ALARA standards.

Question 23

Cardinal rules of radiation protection:

Answer 23

time, distance, shielding.

Question 24

Applying cardinal rules to reduce dose to patient:

Answer 24

Reduce the amount of “beam-on” time.
Use as much distance between X-ray tube and patient.
Use appropriate gonadal and/or specific area shielding.

Question 25

Applying cardinal rules to reduce dose to personnel:

Answer 25

Reducing time spent in room during X-ray exposures
increasing the distance from X-ray beam
Using lead shielding between radiographer and source of radiation.

Question 26

Employers and worker share responsibility of:

Answer 26

maintaining ALARA in the medical industry.

Question 27

Employers responsibility for maintaining ALARA:

Answer 27

• Implement and maintain effective radiation safety program to execute ALARA and provides:
• Necessary resources
• Appropriate environment.
• Provide a written policy statement describing the program and must be available to all employees.
• RSO is directly responsible for execution, enforcement and management of the ALARA program.
• Perform periodic exposure audits to determine how to lower radiation exposure in workplace.

Question 28

Workers responsibility for maintaining ALARA:

Answer 28

Be aware of radiation safety rules.

Perform duties consistent with ALARA.

Question 29

Educating patient about imaging procedures:

Answer 29

results in patients being active participants in their own health care.

Question 30

Risk:

Answer 30

probability of injury, ailment, or death resulting from an activity.

Question 31

For radiation sciences the risk after irradiation is inducing:

Answer 31

radiogenic carcinoma
genetic defect (also referred to as heritable defect)