Radiography In Practice

Question 1

What is the radiation protection advisor?

Answer 1

-an external body
-must hold at least a diploma in veterinary radiology
-must hold a certificate of competence from an awarding body

Question 2

What are radiation protection advisor’s responsibilities?

Answer 2

-advise on radiation protection
-demarcation of the controlled area
-draw up local rules
-draw up written system of work

Question 3

What is the radiation protection supervisor?

Answer 3

-member of veterinary team
-head vet nurse
-practice manager/practitioner

Question 4

What are the radiation protection supervisor’s responsibilities?

Answer 4

-to ensure radiography is carried out in accordance with the regulation
-ensure local rules are being followed

Question 5

Who creates the local rules?

Answer 5

-radiation protection advisor
-everyone in practice involved with radiography given a copy to sign

Question 6

What does the local rules contain?

Answer 6

-list of everyone able to carry out exposures
-information on equipment
-information on procedures
-information on restriction of access to the controlled area

Question 7

What are the written system of work?

Answer 7

-part of the local rules
-contains a list of actions to be followed
-displayed in the x-ray room

Question 8

What are the 4 properties which makes radiography dangerous?

Answer 8

-invisible
-painless
-latent effects
-cumulative (smaller doses constantly is same as one big dose)

Question 9

What is somatic damage and give examples?

Answer 9

-direct changes in the body tissue
-skin reddening or cracking
-blood disorders
-digestive upset
-cataracts

Question 10

What is carcinogenic damage and give examples?

Answer 10

-induction of cancer in tissues
-tumours developing in exposed tissues
-leukaemia or skin cancers

Question 11

What is genetic damage and give examples?

Answer 11

-effects of the gonads
-mutations within the chromosomes of the germ cells
-leads to inherited abnormalities with offspring

Question 12

What are the 3 sources of radiation?

Answer 12

-tube head
-primary beam
-secondary/scattered radiation

Question 13

Describe the tube head?

Answer 13

-lead lined
-contains aluminium filter which absorbs soft x-rays
-should never hold or touch during exposure

Question 14

Describe the primary beam?

Answer 14

-produces high energy x-rays
-light beam diaphragm to help visualise area of exposure
-keep collimation of exposure as small as possible

Question 15

Describe secondary or scattered radiation?

Answer 15

-produced in all directions when hitting solid object (such as patient, cassette, table, floor, walls)
-low energy and absorbed by PPE

Question 16

How can secondary or scattered radiation be reduced?

Answer 16

-collimating
-compressing large areas of tissue
-lead backed cassettes
-decreasing exposure factors where possible

Question 17

What does secondary or scattered radiation cause?

Answer 17

-fogging
-blackening that is unrelated to image
-not a problem with cats or dogs

Question 18

How can we limit handler exposure?

Answer 18

-ensure handler never places in primary beam
-always collimate beam
-table top should be covered by lead
-stay 2m away from beam when x-rays are in progress

Question 19

What precautions are taken in the controlled area?

Answer 19

-has thick walls
-labelled with warning notices
-when x-ray in use a light source should be present outside of room

Question 20

What can be done to ensure safety using the x-ray machine?

Answer 20

-annual service
-beam filtration must be equivalent to at least 2.5mm aluminium
-fitted with collimation device
-table lined with lead

Question 21

What details should be logged after x-ray?

Answer 21

-exposure date
-patient identity
-view
-exposure factors
-means of restraint
-image quality
-if manual restraint was used

Question 22

What personal protective equipment is available?

Answer 22

-film dose meter
-thermoluminescent dose meter
-lead apron
-lead gloves
-thyroid protector
-lead screens

Question 23

What does the dose meter do?

Answer 23

-monitors radiation in x-ray room
-worn on trunk beneath apron
-worn only by person whom it is issued to
-can be placed in x-ray room to monitor wall function

Question 24

Describe structure of the film dose meter?

Answer 24

-contains small piece of film
-has small filers to allow assessment of type of radiation to which badge has been exposed

Question 25

Describe structure of thermoluminescent dose meter?

Answer 25

-contains radiosensitive lithium fluoride crystals
-on exposure electrons in crystals are rearranged
-storing energy

Question 26

Describe the lead apron?

Answer 26

-minimum thickness of 0.25mm
-should cover trunk to mid thigh

Question 27

Describe the lead gloves?

Answer 27

-minimum thickness is 0.35mm
-should never be present within primary beam

Question 28

Describe the thyroid protector?

Answer 28

-minimum thickness of 0.5mm
-worn tight around the neck

Question 29

How can PPE be checked?

Answer 29

-correct storage (hanging or laying flat)
-check for no obvious damage
-inspect before each use
-should be x-rayed at least every year

Question 30

What patient positioning equipment is available?

Answer 30

-sandbags (show up on x-ray)
-ties (only used when under GA)
-cradles (show up on x-ray)
-foam wedges (don’t show up on x-ray)