Radiation Protection

Question 1

Who is the radiographer responsible for protecting from excessive radiation exposure?

Answer 1

The patient and himself/herself

Question 2

Who was the first historically recorded radiation fatality? What year did the death occur?

Answer 2

In 1904, Clarence Dally

Question 3

List the three fundamental protective measures which should always employed by all radiation workers, including radiologic technologist

Answer 3

Time, Distance, and shielding

Question 4

How much radiation was released into the air during the Three-mile Island nuclear power plant disaster?

Answer 4

17 Curies

Question 5

What does Natural Background Radiation refer to?

Answer 5

To radiation we all receive constantly around us from nature, from the earth, the sun and stars, and even from our own bodies.

Question 6

Define ALARA and state why it is important for radiographers to adhere to ALARA.

Answer 6

As low as reasonably achievable, due to the risks of cumulative radiation exposure over time.

Question 7

What year did the Chernobyl, Ukraine Nuclear disaster take place? How many curies of radiation were released into the air during this incident?

Answer 7

1986, 50 million curies

Question 8

There are three broad sources of background radiation, list them.

Answer 8

Cosmic radiation, terrestrial radiation, and internal radiation.

Question 9

What percentage of radiation is due to medical procedures?

Answer 9

51%

Question 10

What percentage of radiation is due to radon gas?

Answer 10

32%

Question 11

What is a contact shield and why is it used?

Answer 11

Covers portions of the patient’s body which may be exposed to scatter radiation. Contact shields are in direct contact with the patient

Question 12

What is a shadow shield and when would it be used?

Answer 12

Connects to the collimator of the x-ray tube and is not in contact with the patient. During surgery around a sterile field.

Question 13

When should the gonads of the patient be shielded?

Answer 13

When they are within 5 cm of the edge of the properly collimated x-ray beam.

Question 14

What should every woman of child bearing age be asked prior to imaging?

Answer 14

If there is any chance of pregnancy.

Question 15

If there is a question of pregnancy, who should be notified and must make the determination whether to proceed with the procedure?

Answer 15

A radiologist or supervising manager.

Question 16

When is the wearing of personal radiation monitoring devices required?

Answer 16

If it is likely that any individual will receive more than one-quarter of the occupational DEL of any time during employment.

Question 17

Where should general radiographers wear their monitor (dosimetry device)?

Answer 17

Collar level and outside any lead apron or thyroid shield.

Question 18

A reading from the collar area is taken as a good estimation of ______________ exposure.

Answer 18

Eye lens

Question 19

How often should personal radiation monitoring reports be made available by employers?

Answer 19

At the end of each monitoring period. Maximum of one quarter or 3 months.

Question 20

The minimum information provided on radiation monitoring reports must include:

Answer 20

Proper, full identification
The current period dose
The Cumulative quarterly dose
The cumulative annual dose
The cumulative total exposure for the duration of service
The unused portion of the cumulative lifetime DEL
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Question 21

Sometimes an M or N will be noted instead of numerical figures. What do M and/or N stand for? And what do they indicate?

Answer 21

Minimal dose, negligible dose. Both indicate that the exposure was less than the statistical error for the particular device.

Question 22

The greatest source of occupational exposure to the radiographer is _____________________.

Answer 22

Scatter radiation from the patient

Question 23

Who is responsible to ensure that a copy of the monitoring report is passed along to a new employer?

Answer 23

The radiographers

Question 24

What does the “M” or “N” stand for in the radiation report which indicates the exposure was less than the statistical error for the particular device?

Answer 24

Minimal dose or negligible dose

Question 25

What is the greatest source of occupational radiation to the radiographer during examinations?

Answer 25

Scatter radiation from the patient

Question 26

During x-ray and fluoroscopy exams, where should the technologist stand in order to receive the least amount of exposure from the exam?

Answer 26

To the side of the table, avoid standing at the head or foot of the x-ray table unless it is necessary for the procedure or for patient care.

Question 27

During fluoroscopy exams, a lead apron must be worn by the technologist. What lead thickness is strongly recommended for these exams?

Answer 27

0.5 mm thickness

Question 28

If lead gloves are required, the lead thickness of __________ is required due to the hands being among the least radiosensitive portions of the body

Answer 28

0.25 mm thickness

Question 29

How often are lead aprons checked for cracks?

Answer 29

Once a year

Question 30

Lead aprons and gloves found in the radiology department have an average effectiveness of about _______%.

Answer 30

85%

Question 31

___________ must be made available with every mobile unit and should be consistently employed by radiographers during mobile procedures.

Answer 31

Lead aprons

Question 32

Exposure cords on mobile machines are required to be designed to extend at least ___________ from the machine to maximize both distance and shielding in combination for ALARA dose protection.

Answer 32

2 Meters (6 Feet)

Question 33

The fluoro tower is require to have an equivalent shielding of _______mm of lead.

Answer 33

2 mm

Question 34

The bucky slot cover must have at least ______mm of lead, and must move into place whenever the bucky tray is moved to the foot of the table.

Answer 34

0.25 mm

Question 35

The fluoro curtain must have a minimum of ______mm of lead in each slat.

Answer 35

0.25 mm