Risks And Precautions

Question 1

What are the dangers of x rays and what control methods are put in place?

Answer 1

1. Ionising radiation given off can damage tissue.
2. Patient :
   - Only get x ray done if physician thinks it’s justified
   - Filter gets rid of low energy x rays to reduce exposure
   - localise x rays to area of interest
3. Physician:
   - physician in different room so no exposure
   - wear lead apron in case of accident to limit exposure (otherwise constant exposure)

Question 2

What are the dangers of ultrasounds and what control methods are put in place?

Answer 2

1. Ultrasound does not use ionising radiation so there is no significant risk.
2. Operating staff is right next to patient as there is no significant risk. Virtually no control methods are put into place.

Question 3

What are the dangers of nuclear medicine and what control methods are put in place?

Answer 3

1. It releases ionising radiation in the form of β and γ so you can get radiation sickness.
2. Patient:
   - Radiotracer must have suitable range, activity (penetration) (not too high/low) and half-life (not too high/low)
3. Physician:
   - Lead apron used reduce exposure
   - Gloves used have thick layer lead
   - Radiation badge indicates to others how much radiation they’ve been exposed to.
   - Use Geiger counter to see how much radiation they’ve been exposed to.
   - Radiotracer transported in lead block in case of emergency

Question 4

What are the dangers of MRI scans and what control methods are put in place?

Answer 4

1. Iron/Ferrous materials like pacemakers or steel plates in skull/other body parts are a hazard as magnet used very strong = rip out of patient.
2. Patient:
   - Claustrophobia = patient needs to be ready for it; operator talks to patient through speakers to comfort them.
   - Check if they have anything magnetic on them
3. Physician:
   - No risk to physician as long as they have nothing magnetic on them
   - Computer kept in another room to view the MRI images as it’ll contain magnetic parts.
   - Label used to indicate to others in vicinity of magnet is switched on or off.