rad_protection

Question 1

Def of radiation

Answer 1

Energy traveling through space emitting radiant energy in the form of waves or particles.

Question 2

Def of ionization

Answer 2

Process by which neutral atoms acquires a pos or neg charge

Question 3

Ionizing radiation

Answer 3

Produces negatively and positively charged particles as it passes through matter

Question 4

ALARA

Answer 4

As Low As Reasonably Achievable

Question 5

What agency set the first rad protection standards

Answer 5

International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)

Question 6

What agency was established in the US and is the primary standard setter

Answer 6

National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement (NCRP)

Question 7

Agency that regulates the safe use of “reacted produced” radio active materials in medicine and no medical practices

Answer 7

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)

Question 8

Agency that regulates naturally occurring radioactive materials such as radon and radium

Answer 8

NRC

Question 9

Agency that regulates x-ray machines (including LINACs)

Answer 9

Individual States

Question 10

If you decrease your time by 1/2, you decrease your exposure by _____

Answer 10

2

Question 11

If you increase your distance by 2, you decrease your exposure by ____

Answer 11

4

Question 12

If you increase your shielding by 1 HVL, you decrease your exposure by ____

Answer 12

2

Question 13

What is CFR

Answer 13

Code Federal Regulation

Question 14

List steps for a bracy Source Receipt:

Answer 14

1. Inspect Package and Labels (transport index - dose rate at 1 meter)
2. Survey Outside of Package
3. Swipe for contamination ouside of package and pigs
4. Log sources into Inventory Book

Question 15

For a Source Receipt, what are the limits when surveying the outside of the package?

Answer 15

1. Prostate Seeds < 2 mR/hr on surface
2. HDR Source < 2 mR/hr at 1 meter

**ion chamber survey meter is used

Question 16

For a Source Receipt, what are the limits when swiping for contamination outside of package and pig, and what is used for the survey?

Answer 16

1. < 2000 dpm (disentegration per minute)
2. Well Chamber Counter

Question 17

Do Prostate Seeds or HDR sources require leaks tests during a Source Receipt?

Answer 17

No

Question 18

Steps for Source Strength Calibration:

Answer 18

1. Re-entrant Chamber
2. Sample 10% of Prostate Seeds
3. Calibrate the HDR Source
4. Agreement to within 5%

Question 19

Explain Sealed Source Inventory / Leak Test

Answer 19

1. Inventory every 3 months
2. SS Leak tests every 6 months
3. Leak Tests: < 0.005 uCi

Question 20

What is a Written Directive

Answer 20

An authorized user’s written order for the admnistration of material or radiation to a patient

Question 21

Who is considered an Authorized User?

Answer 21

Physician

Question 22

Along with the patients name, what must be included in the Written Directive for various types of radiation tx?

Answer 22

For:

1. NaI I-131 with doses > 30 uCi: dosage
2. Therapy dose other than I-131: dosage, radioactive drug, and method of delivery
3. Manual Brachy, LDR: Before tx - Tx site, radionuclide, dose; after tx - tx site, radionuclide, total dose (exposure time), and # of sources
4. Gamma Knife: tx site, total dose, values for the target coordinate setting
5. HDR: tx site, dose/fx, # of fx, total dose, radionuclide
6. Teletherapy: tx site, dose/fx, # of fx, total dose

Question 23

What is considered a Medical Event:

Answer 23

1. Total dose delivered differs from Rx by 20% or more
2. Fractionated dose delivered differs from Rx, for a single fx, by 50% or more
3. A does that exceeds 5 rem effective dose equivalent
4. A dose that exceeds 50 rem to an organ or tissue, or shallow dose equivalent to the skin from: wrong radionuclide, wrong route, wrong pt, wrong mode, and/or leaking source
5. Dose to skin, organ, or tissue other than tx site exceeding 50 rem and 50% of expected Rx

Question 24

How to report a Medical Event:

Answer 24

1. Telephone to NRC within 1 day of discovery
2. Written Report to NRC within 15 days
3. Written notice to MD within 24 hrs
4. Written notice to pt within 24 hrs

*do not need to tell pt before MD, not required to notify pt if MD agrees to do so, or if MD decides info will harm pts well-being based on medical judgement

Question 25

What is the Occupancy Factor for “Full Occupancy Areas”:

Answer 25

T = 1.0

Question 26

Define Full Occupancy Area, and what areas are considered Full Occupancy?

Answer 26

areas occupied full-time by an individual;

1. tx palnning areas
2. tx control rooms
3. nurse stations
4. receptionist areas
5. attended waiting rooms
6. occupied space in nearby building

Question 27

What is areas have an occupancy factor of 1/2?

Answer 27

Adjacent tx room, pt examination room adjacent to shielded vault

Question 28

What is areas have an occupancy factor of 1/5?

Answer 28

Corridors, empolyee lounges, staff rest rooms

Question 29

What is areas have an occupancy factor of 1/8?

Answer 29

Tx Vault doors

Question 30

What is areas have an occupancy factor of 1/20?

Answer 30

Public toilets, unattended vending rooms, storage areas, outdoor areas with seating, unattended waiting rooms, patient holding areas, attics, janitors closets

Question 31

What is areas have an occupancy factor of 1/40?

Answer 31

Outdoor areas with only transient pedestrain or vehicular traffic, unattended parking lots, vehicular dop off areas, stariways, unattended elevators