Radiation Protection CH 1-3

Radiation Induced Cancer

Radiation-induced cancer does not have a fixed threshold, that is, a dose level below which individuals would have no chance of developing this disease

The __________ and ____________ share in keeping the patient's medical radiation exposure at the lowest level possible.

Radiographer and Radiologist

To determine how radiation exposure in the workplace may be lowered, management should do what?

Management should perform periodic exposure audits

What are the 3 advantages of BERT?

-BERT does not imply radiation risk; it is simply a means for comparison -BERT emphasizes that radiation is an innate part of our environment -The answer given in terms of BERT is easy for the patient to comprehend

Consequences of ionization in human cells

-Creation of unstable atoms -Production of free electrons -Production of low-energy x-ray photons -Creation of reactive free radicals capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell -Creation of new biological molecules detrimental to the living cell Injury to the cell that may manifest itself as abnormal function or loss of function

What are the 3 cardinal rules of radiation protection?

-Time (Reduce the amount of xray beam on time) -Shielding (Always shield the patient with appropriate shielding devices) -Distance (Always keep as much distance as possible between the xray tube and the patient)

What are 3 ways to reduce occupational radiation exposure?

-Time (Shorten the lenght of time spent in a room where x-radiation is produced)O -Shielding (Interpose a radiation -absorbent shielding between the radiographer and the source of radiation) -Distance (Stand at the greatest distance possible from an energized x-ray beam)

What is BERT?

Background Equivalent Radiation Time

Who is responsible for maintaining ALARA in the medical industry?

Both employers of radiation workers and the workers themselves have a responsibility for radiation safety in the medical industry.

"Biological Effects"

Damage to living tissue of animals and humans exposed to radiation

X-rays are a form of ________ radiation.

Ionizing

"Radiation Protection"

It is defined as effective measures employed by radiation workers to safeguard patients, personnel, and the general public from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation

The use of radiation in the healing arts did not begin until when?

It wasn't until the discovery of x-rays in 1895

When were x-rays discovered?

November 8, 1895

What does RSO stand for?

Radiation Safety Officer

Why is BERT method important?

The BERT method compares the amount of radiation received, for example, from a patients chest xray examination or from radiography of any other part of the anatomy, with natural background radiation received over a specified period of time such as days, weeks, months, or years.

What is the job of the RSO?

The RSO is directly responsible for the execution, enforcement, and maintenance of the ALARA program

"Diagnostic Efficacy"

The degree to which the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in the patient

Optimization for Radiation Protection (ORP)

This term is synonymous with ALARA.