Safety - Radiation protection Flashcards
When should a radiologic technologist’s dosimeter be read?
Daily
Weekly
Monthly
Annually
Monthly
Monthly reading of dosimeters is typically recommended to effectively monitor
radiation exposure and ensure compliance with regulatory limits. Daily and weekly readings are impractical and unnecessary due to the nature of cumulative exposure tracking. Annual readings would not provide timely feedback on exposure, potentially allowing for unsafe exposure levels to go unnoticed for too long.
How does using a higher kVp, lower mAs technique in abdominal radiography affect patient exposure and image quality?
It increases patient dose and image contrast
It decreases patient dose and image contrast
It increases patient dose and decreases image contrast
It decreases patient dose and increases image contrast
It decreases patient dose and image contrast
Using a higher kVp, lower mAs technique decreases patient dose, but it also decreases image contrast because of increased scatter production. It is essential to balance kVp and mAs to maintain adequate image quality while minimizing exposure.
Which of the following is a recommended guideline for using mobile radiography units inside intensive care units (ICUs)?
Always use the highest possible kVp to reduce patient dose
Position the unit as close to the patient as possible to improve image quality
Ensure that all personnel in the ICU wear lead aprons during exposures
Use lead shields or aprons to protect other patients and staff
Use lead shields or aprons to protect other patients and staff
Utilizing lead shields or aprons is essential to protect others in close proximity from scatter radiation during mobile radiography, adhering to radiation safety protocols. The choice of kVp should be based on the principle of ALARA and the specific diagnostic requirements, not solely on reducing patient dose, making the first option incorrect. While proximity affects image sharpness, safety considerations prioritize minimizing unnecessary exposure, making the second option incorrect. While protective apparel is important, not all personnel may need to wear aprons if they are adequately shielded or distanced, making the third option incorrect.
How does adding additional filtration outside the
x-ray tube, as shown in the image, affect the
patient dose and image quality?
Increases both patient dose and image quality by
enhancing beam hardness
Decreases patient dose and improves image
quality by removing low-energy photons
Increases patient dose but decreases image quality
due to a reduction in photons
Decreases patient dose but can compromise
image quality by reducing beam intensity
Decreases patient dose but can compromise
image quality by reducing beam intensity
Additional filtration decreases patient dose by eliminating
low-energy photons that contribute to dose without
improving image quality, but excessive filtration may
reduce the intensity of the beam enough to affect image
quality negatively. Increased filtration also reduces image
contrast due to the remaining higher energy photons
causing more scatter. Additional filtration removes low-energy photons, which do not contribute to image formation but do not increase dose. While additional filtration does reduce patient dose by removing low-energy photons, it can compromise image quality by reducing overall beam intensity. Filtration reduces patient
What is the minimum lead equivalent recommended by NCRP #102 for lead glasses used in diagnostic radiology?
0.25 mm Pb
0.35 mm Pb
0.50 mm Pb
1.00 mm Pb
0.35 mm Pb
NCRP #102 recommends a minimum lead equivalent of 0.35 mm Pb for lead glasses in diagnostic radiology to ensure adequate protection. The 0.25 mm Pb may be used for low-energy applications but is below the standard for optimal protection. The 0.50 mm Pb is often used for higher energy protection but exceeds the minimum requirement. The 1.00 mm Pb is much higher than the standard requirement and is typically not necessary for diagnostic radiology.
In the context of imaging morbidly obese patients, which of the following is the most critical adjustment to minimize patient exposure?
Decrease the SID to intensify the beam.
Increase the kVp within appropriate limits.
Use the largest possible image receptor.
Double the mAs for every 45 cm of tissue increase.
Increase the kVp within appropriate limits.
Increasing kVp within appropriate limits while maintaining image quality can help penetrate the increased tissue density without increasing dose unnecessarily. Decreasing SID can increase patient dose. Using the largest possible image receptor and doubling the mAs for every 45 cm of tissue increase are generally incorrect
practices that can compromise image quality and increase exposure.
A radiologic technologist is reviewing the filtration requirements for a radiographic unit. According to NCRP #102, what is the recommended minimum amount of filtration in the useful beam?
0.2 mm aluminum equivalent
0.5 mm aluminum equivalent
1.0 mm aluminum equivalent
2.0 mm aluminum equivalent
0.5 mm aluminum equivalent
According to NCRP #102, the recommended minimum filtration in the useful beam is 0.5 mm aluminum equivalent. This level of filtration helps minimize patient exposure to unnecessary low-energy photons while maintaining adequate image quality.
