Radiation Protection Exam 1 Ch. 1 - 3

What is the Effective Dose: EfD? What is the subunit?

-best estimate of overall harm to the tissue -takes into account the type of radiation Seivert or mSv

How can radiographers utilize the Distance principle to limit exposure?

. DISTANCE -- increase the distance between you & radiation source (scatter) -- radiation divergence means radiation will cover a larger area as distance increases -- learn & use Inverse Square Law

How can radiographers utilize the shielding principle to limit exposure?

.SHIELDNG use absorber between yourself & radiation wear a lead apron if you will be in the exposure room wear lead gloves if your hands will be near the direct beam and patient use the control console wall/window as a barrier

What are the four kinds of Particulate Radiation?

1 Alpha Particles 2. Beta Particles 3. Proton 4. Neutron

How can humans safely control the use of radiant energy? 1. By using the knowledge of radiation-induced hazards that has been gained over many years 2. By employing effective methods to limit or eliminate radiation-induced hazards 3. By completely eliminating the use of radiation in the healing arts

1 and 2 only

X-rays: 1. Can have very degrees of penetration in normal biologic tissue. 2. Can be focused by a lens 3. Are invisible

1 and 3 only

In 2006, what are the two highest contribution of natural and manmade radiation source to the total collective effective dose for the population of the US?

1. Radon and Thorn @ 37% 2. CT @ 24&

How can radiographers use the time principle to limit exposure?

1. TIME -- keep time spent in "active" area low -- do not be in room during exposure unless needed -- refers to radiographer's "working time" not time set on the control console

Of the following radiations, which are classified as particulate radiations? 1. X-rays and gamma rays 2. Alpha particle and beta particles 3. Gamma rays and ultraviolet radiation with energy greater than 10 eV

2 only

Exposure of _______Sv to the gonads can cause temporary sterility

2.5 Sv

Of the following radiations, which are classified as ionizing radiation? 1. Infrared rays, low-energy ultraviolet radiation, and microwaves 2. Low-energy ultraviolet radiation, radio waves, and visible light 3. Ultraviolet radiation with energy greater than 10 eV, gamma rays, and x-rays

3 only

Beta particles are _________ times lighter than alpha particles

8000 times

What is a millisievert

A subunit of the sievert equal to 1/1000 of a sievert

Bert is a : A. Method of comparison B. Method of optimizing radiation protection C. Radiation quantity D. Radiation unit

A. Method of comparison

For many regulatory agencies the _______ principle provides a method for comparing the amount of radiation used in various health care facilities in a particular area for specific imaging procedure.

ALARA

Which of the following commonly used building materials contain (s) radon? A. Bricks B. Concrete C. Gypsum wallboard

All of them

The amount of radiation a patient receives may be indicated in terms of :Gonadal 1. Entrance Skin Exposure 2. Bone Marrow Dose 3. Dose

All three

What is the Image Gently Campaign?

Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging ( founded 2007) CT safety for children Educate RT on reduction of technical factors during CT for children Reduced dosage by as much as 50% with no reduction in image quality

What does ALARA stand for?

As Low As Reasonably Achievable

All wavelengths travel at ?

At the speed of light

The millisievert (mSv), a subunit of the sievert (Sv), is equal to? A. 1/10,000 of a Sv B. 1/1000 of a Sv C. 1/100 of a Sv D. 1/10 of a Sv

B. 1/1000 of a Sv

Which of the following terms is an attempt to provide a quantity that is a measure of general harm in humans? A. Absorbed dose B. Effective dose C. Exposure D. Diagnostic Efficacy

B. Effective dose

From which of the following sources do human beings receive the largest dose of ionizing radiation? A. Radioactive fallout rom atomic weapons testing B. Medical Radiation procedures C. Cosmic Rays D. The area surrounding a nuclear reactor

B. Medical Radiation procedures

To implement an effective radiation safety program in a facility that provides imaging services, the employer must provide all of the following except? A. An appropriate environment in which to execute an ALARA program and the necessary resources to support the program B. X-ray equipment that can produce only very low kilovoltage and very high milliamperage C. A written policy statement describing this ALARA program and the commitment of management to keeping all radiation exposure ALARA that is available to all employees in the workplace D. Periodic exposure audits to determine how radiation in the workplace may be lowered

B. X-ray equipment that can produce only very low kilovoltage and very high milliamperage

What does BERT stand for? And how is it used?

Background Equivalent Radiation Time (BERT) A way to compare the radiation dose to events occurring in nature or in the environment. Sometimes used to help educate personnel or patients Are x-ray safe? As safe as we can make them!

What are some examples of how Radiation Protection works on a team concept?

Between the healthcare workers and the patient RT, Nurses, Radiologist, Specialty area Between Professional organizations ASRT, ARRT, ACR, Joint Commision ACR = American College of Radiologist

Which of the following recommend the use of background equivalent radiation time for improving patient understanding and reducing fear and anxiety associated with having an x-ray procedure? A. Environmental Protection Agency B. Occupational Safety and Health Administration C. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements D. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

C.

Which of the following is a radiation quantity that provides an overall dose value that includes the different degrees of tissue interaction that could be caused by the different types of radiation? A. Absorbed Dose B. Effective Dose C. Equivalent Dose D. Exposure

C. Equivalent Dose

What are some consequences of ionization in the human cells?

Creation of unstable atoms (ionized) Production of free electrons Production of low energy photons Creation of highly reactive free molecules (called free radicals) capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell *can cause a lot of damage or mutation Creation of new biologic molecules detrimental to the living cells Injury to the cells that can change the normal cell function or loss of function

The amount of energy received by an individual is termed: A. Electromagnetic Energy B. Linear Acceleration C. Radioactive decay D. Radiation Dose

D. Radiation Dose

In medicine, when radiation safety principles are correctly applied during imaging procedures, the energy deposited in living tissue by the radiation can be limited. This result in: A. Completely eliminating the possibility for reducing the potential for adverse effects B. No change in the possibility for reducing for adverse effects C. Increasing the potential for adverse biologic effects D. Reducing the potential for adverse biologic effects

D. Reducing the potential for adverse biologic effects

To keep damage to a minimum, what is one principle that is used?

Damage caused by exposure to radiation To keep damage to a minimum the profession uses the following! Principle of BENEFIT vs RISK Does having this examination outweigh the risk of the exposure?

If the principle of Benefit vs Risk is used, and the examination outweighs the risk of the exposure Diagnostic Efficacy is used. What does that mean?

Diagnostic Efficacy is used: Is the degree to which the diagnostic study reveals the presence or absence of a disease in the patient while following to radiation safety guidelines.

Radiation Protection is defined as:?

Effective measures employed by the radiation workers to safe guard patients, personnel and the general public from unnecessary radiation exposure to ionizing radiation.

What are the 3 different units that radiation can be measured? What do they measure? What are the traditional units? What about the SI units?

Exposure (exposed): amount of radiation produced in air Traditional units = Roentgen {R} SI unit = coulomb per kilogram {C/kg)} International Unit Absorbed Dose: the amount of energy that is deposited in a material per unit of mass of the material Traditional units = rad (radiation absorbed dose) SI units = gray {Gy} (milligray is 1/1000 of a gray {mGy} Effective Dose: is an attempt to a quantity that is a measure of general harm to humans Traditional units = rem (radiation equivalent to man SI units = Sievert {Sv} (millisievert is equal to 1/1000 of a sievert {mSv}

T or F A threshold exists for radiation-induced malignant disease.

False

T or F BERT is based on an annual US population exposure of approx. 1 mSv per year.

False

T or F The ability of x-rays to cause injury in normal biologic tissue just became apparent recently

False

T or F X-rays are a form of nonionizing radiation?

False

Who reports for radiation safety in USA?

Federal Council by the FDA- reports for radiation safety in the USA

What is the goal of ALARA?

GOAL: decrease exposure whenever possible does not eliminate radiation exposure provides guidelines to limit the risk of bodily injury

General population in the US receives ____ mSv per year of radiation.

General population in the US receives 3 mSv per year BERT does not use the Benefit vs risk - only a way to make comparisons

What is the most effective tool for diagnosing breast cancer?

High-quality mammography

What are 2 protocols for Dose Alert?

If a patient dose is predicated to or has actually exceeded present dose levels, the staff radiologists is notified. Medical physicist is called to carry out the dose estimate.

What is ionization?

Ionization is defined as an atom loses an electron or adds an electon to the orbital shell(s) Ionization is how radiation reacts with the body

Radiation is ________ energy and exits in many forms.

Kinetic

What does kinesio mean?

Means motion

What is the NEXT PROGRAM?

NATIONWIDE EVALUATION OF X-RAY TRENDS Compiled reference values for patient dose for patient exposures for different examinations for institutes to make comparisons with their own facilitiy

Radioactive elements in the crust of the earth and in the human body may be classified as?

Natural sources of ionizing radiation

What happened at TMI-2 and Chernobyl?

Nuclear Power plant accidents

What is Particulate Radiation?

Particulate Radiation - subatomic particles that are ejected from the nucleus of the atom

What is the absorbed dose? What is the subunit?

Radiation absorbed in tissue -Gray Units Gy or mGy

How is radiation defined?

Radiation is defined as the transfer of kinetic energy from one location to another.

When was Radiation discovered? And who discovered it?

Radiation was discover in 1895 by Wilhelm Roentgen

What are four examples of how Radiographers and Radiologists can control radiant energy?

Radiographer and Radiologist: 1. Educated in safe operations of the x-ray producing equipment 2. Use of protective devices whenever possible 3. Follow established procedures 4. Select technical factors and equipment that significantly reduce radiation exposure to the patients and themselves

Thoron is a radioactive decay product of an isotope of:

Radon

Radon at _____ mSv is responsible for _________ deaths per year

Radon 2.0 mSv •Responsible for 20,000 cancer deaths per year •Cosmic terrestrial 0.3 mSv

What is milligray (mGy)?

SI subunit of measure for the radiation quantity, "absorbed dose"

What is mGy?

SI subunit that can be used for measuring radiation exposure at skin entrance miiligray

What is the INVERSE SQUARE LAW? And how can we use this to our advantage?

The INTENSITY of Radiation is inversely related to the square of the distance. Nice - but what does this mean? If you double your distance, you will receive ¼ of the radiation exposure! If starting distance is 20, and you take the second exposure at 40 inches. What will the radiation intensity be? New intensity would be 20/4=5

The patient is concerned with getting a chest x-ray. What's one way you can explain to the patient how safe it is?

The radiation received from having this chest x-ray would be compared to 10 days in your natural surroundings.

What do airport surveillance systems, ionization-type smoke detectors, older luminous dial timepieces, nuclear power plants, and false teeth made of porcelain have in common?

They are all sources of manmade radiation

Ultraviolet radiation less than 10 eV, visible light, infrared rays, microwaves, and radio waves are considered to be nonionizing because?

They do not have sufficient kinetic energy to eject electrons from atoms

What are the 3 cardinal principles of radiation protection?

Three Principles that limit exposure TIME DISTANCE SHIELDING

T or F BERT is a method of explaining radiation to the public

True

T or F Diagnostic Efficacy provides the basis for determining whether an imaging procedure or practice is justified.

True

T or F It is the responsibility of the referring physician to provide the necessary resources and appropriate environment in which to execute an ALARA program in a health care facility

True

T or F NEXT stand for Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends

True

T or F Radiation produced from an x-ray tube is an example of controllable radiant energy

True

T or F The millisievert (mSv) is the SI subunit of EfD?

True

T or F To reduce the possibility of genetic damage in future generations , the increase in frequency of radiation exposure in medicine must be counterbalanced by controlling the amount of patient exposure in individual imaging procedures.

True

Wavelength and Frequency are ________ reated.

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related.

What are some properties of radiation?

X-rays are invisible Penetrates matter Travels in a straight line Electrically neutral Effects photographic film (how image becomes permanent) Heterogeneous Wavelengths Cannot be focused by a lens Travels at a straight line Causes certain crystals to fluorescence (used barium cyanide glow = blue) Generates energy when passing through matter Creates scatter and secondary radiation Can cause biological changes

Effective radiation protection measures take into consideration: 1. Both human and environmental physical determinants 2. Technical elements 3. Procedural factors

all of the above

For CT the Joint Commission requires: 1. Annual education for staff in dose reduction 2. Minimum qualifications for medical physicists 3. Documentation of CT radiation dose 4. Management of CT protocols to minimize radiation dose

all of the above

The ALARA philosophy should: 1. Be a main part of every health care facility's personnel radiation control program 2. Be maintained because at this time there are no firm dose limits established for the amount of radiation that patients may receive for individual imaging procedures 3. Be maintained and show all reasonable actions that will reduce dose to patients and personnel below required limits have been considered

all of the above

What are free radicals?

highly reactive free molecules capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell. Can cause a lot of damage or mutation.

Diagnostic efficacy is _______ when essential images are produced with the least radiation exposure to the patient

maximized

What does ORP stand for?

optimization for radiation protection

What is the Equivalent Dose: EqD? What is the subunit?

takes in account the type of radiation that was absorbed -Seivert or mSv

What is an Atomic Number?

the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom

How much exposure do people get at high altitudes vs. sea level? What about from Potassium or Carbon?

• •High altitudes(0.3) vs sea level •Internal deposited radionuclides 0.7 mSv •Ex. Potassium -40, Carbon -14

Where are Alpha particles or alpha rays emitted from? What one example?

•1. Alpha particles or alpha rays: •Are emitted from the nuclei of very heavy elements such as uranium. •Alpha is the highest

What are the 3 types of radiation?

•1. ionizing radiation •2. nonioning radiation •3. Particulate radiation

Beta particles or beta rays are identical to _______________ except from their origin. What department used this?

•2. Beta particles or beta rays: •Are identical to high-speed electrons except from their origin. Electrons are emitted from within the nuclei of radioactive atoms +Oncology uses a linear accelerator •Use electrons from radioactive items.

What are Proton rays or particles?

•3. Proton - are positive charged components of the atom • an isolated photon

Why are Neutron rays or particles referred to as Isotopes?

•4. Neutrons if an atom has approximately the same mass as a proton but different number of neutrons in their nuclei, they are referred to as Isotopes. (radioisotopes used in Nuclei

How much exposure do patients get from CT scanning? Radiography? Nuclear Medicine?D

•CT scanning 1.5 mSv •Radiography 0.6 mSv •Nuclear Medicine 0.7 mSv

What is changes to organic damage?

•Changes to organic damage - changes in the blood count (hematologic depression(when red blood count is lower than normal), or lymphocytes) -An exposure of 0.25 SV WHOLE BODY can cause blood changes -2.5 Sv to the gonads can cause temporary sterility (see page 20 - table 2.2 for more examples)

What are some examples of Manmade (artificial) radiation?

•Consumer products containing radioactive material •Air travel •Nuclear fuel for generation of power •Atmospheric fallout from nuclear weapons testing •Nuclear power plant accidents (TMI-2 and Chernobyl) •Nuclear power plant accidents as a consequence of natural disasters (Fukushima Daiichi)

What is frequency?

•Frequency is the distance between two crest.

What does ionizing mean?

•Ionizing = when an orbital electron is leaving or being added to an orbital shell.

What are some examples of Ionizing radiation?

•Ionizing radiations •X-rays •Gamma rays •Ultraviolet radiation with energy greater than 10 eV

How CT changed from the 80's to now and why?

•NCPR Report No. 160 - reports on the number of medical procedures in the USA •Number of CT exams has increased (67 million procedures) which has lead to an increase in the radiation exposure for medical manmade. • •NCRP = National Council on Radiation Protection

What are some examples of Nonionizing radiation?

•Nonionizing radiations •Visible light •Microwave •Radiowaves •Toaster

What happened at Fukushima Daiichi?

•Nuclear power plant accidents as a consequence of natural disasters (Fukushima Daiichi)

On the Electromagnetic Spectrum the rang of energies are based on their ______ and __________.

•The range of energies are based on their frequency and wavelength on the Electromagnetic Spectrum. •This spectrum ranks all electromagnetic radiations - usually higher frequencies are associated with shorter wavelengths (more penetrating)

On the Electromagnetic Spectrum it ranks all electromagnetic radiations - usually higher _______ are associated with shorter wavelengths (more penetrating)

•This spectrum ranks all electromagnetic radiations - usually higher frequencies are associated with shorter wavelengths (more penetrating)

What is cellular damage?

•cellular damage - changes to cell function can cause mutations, cataracts, leukemia