principles of radiation protection and legislation

Question 1

What 3 things determine the effective dose?

Answer 1

• the amount of energy absorbed in tissue (absorbed dose)
• type of radiation (equivalent dose)
• organs irradiated and their sensitivity to radiation

Question 2

Define somatic and genetic effect

Answer 2

somatic effect - if individual is effected
genetic effect - if effects damage reproductive cells

Question 3

state the effective dose in mSv of chest, pelvis, lumbar spine, barium enema and CT abdomen

Answer 3

chest PA- 0.02
pelvis- 1
lumbar- 2.4
barium enema- 5.0
CT abdomen- 8.0

Question 4

What is the intensity of a beam of electromagnetic radiation?

Answer 4

the total energy per second flowing through that point when normalised to a unit area

Question 5

What are the 3 types of examinations?

Answer 5

non-significant, low dose, high dose

Question 6

What is classified as a non-significant dose examination?

(pregnancy check not required for non-significant dose examinations)

Answer 6

• any radiography not near uterus
• chest x-ray
• C/T spine, skull

Maximum foetal dose<0.01 mGy

Question 7

What is classified as low dose examinations?

Answer 7

• CT chest
• fluoroscopy of chest and limbs or barium meal/swallow
• plain film AXR, pelvis, femur
• mammography

Maximum foetal dose< 10mGy

Question 8

What is classified as high dose examination?

Answer 8

• CT abdomen/pelvis
• fluoroscopic process e.g barium enema
• ## check for any chances of being pregnant

Question 9

When is the 10 and 28 day rules applied?

Answer 9

during low radiation procedures

Question 10

What is the 10 and 28 day rule?

Answer 10

if period is within last 28 days then proceed vice versa

if period is within last 10 days the proceed vice versa

Question 11

What are the areas and checks required for non significant, low and high dose examinations?

Answer 11

NS:
-projection radiography below knees and above diaphragm
-no need to check pregnancy

LD:
-examinations between knees and diaphragm
- apply 28 day pregnant rule

HD:
-CT fluoroscopy examinations between knees and diaphragm
- apply 10 day pregnancy rule

Question 12

What does ICRP stand for and what do state?

Answer 12

international commission on radiological protection

all radiation is harmful

Question 13

What are 2 types of radiation and give examples?

Answer 13

natural: cosmic, diet, terrestrial

artificial: medical, occupational, fallout

Question 14

What are the 3 principles of radiation protection?

Answer 14

Justification : risk vs benefit

Optimisation : as low as reasonably practicable

Limitation : limit individual doses

Question 15

Give a few of the general duties of IRR 2017

Answer 15

• arrangements for management of radiation protection
• controls over areas
• controls relating to people
• controls over substances and equipment
• accident preparedness

overall its notification of work, restriction of exposure and PPE

Question 16

How do you notify work according to IRR2017?

Answer 16

1. notified, small amounts of radioactive material used
2. registered, includes diagnostic and radiotherapy
3. consent to be obtained for nuclear medicine including manufacturers

Question 17

What is consists of a controlled area?

Answer 17

• local rules
• physically demarcated (boundaries)
• warning signs
• warning light
• restricted access

Question 18

What must be included in local rules of a controlled area?

Answer 18

• dose investigation levels
• summary of contingency arrangements
• name of radiation protection supervisor
• identification and description of areas covered
• summary of working instruction for entry and working in a controlled area

Question 19

When will an employer designate and 18+ employee as classified?

Answer 19

• their effective dose is likely to exceed 6mSv annually OR equivalent dose is greater than 3/10 of any other relevant dose limit

Question 20

What are the requirements to a classified person?

Answer 20

• annual medical surveillance
• assessment and record of doses recieved
• records kept for 50 years

Question 21

What is the dose limit in mSv annually for 18+, 18- and others?

Answer 21

18+ = 20mSv (whole body)

18- = 6mSv (whole body)

others = 1

Question 22

What must be done by an employer when a patient is overexposed?

Answer 22

• immediate investigation to confirm exposure
• inform Health and safety executive/CQC
• arrange for more detailed investigation of particular circumstance and dose received by patient

Question 23

What is included in a contingency arrangement?

Answer 23

• issue arises
• pinpoint the issue
• take notes of ppl involved
• estimate affected area
• report to RPA and RPS
• dont use equipments until checked by engineer and authorised for reuse

Question 24

What does RPA and RPS stand for?

Answer 24

radiation protection adviser
radiation protection supervisor

Question 25

What are the 4 different duty holders and what are their roles?

Answer 25

Employer - provide framework of radiation protection of patient through standard operating procedures

Referrer - provide sufficient clinical information

Practitioner - justify each individual exposure, adequately trained, theoretical knowledge and practical training expected

operator - undertake practical aspects of medical exposure and adequately trained