Rad Pro Ch.1
For the welfare of patients and the workers, facilities providing imaging services must have:
An effective radiation safety program
What are biologic effects?
damage to living tissue of animals and humans exposed to radiation
biologic effects
damage to living tissue of animals and humans exposed to radiation
Optimal radiographic images should be obtained with the _______ exposure.
first
fear of being exposed to radiation
radiation phobia
The end of result of the TRACE Program is:
A reduction in patient dose
Produces positively and negatively charged particles (ions) when passing through matter
Ionizing radiation
The millisievert (mSv), a subunit of the sievert (Sv), is equal to:
1/1000 of an Sv
Year in which x-ray was discovered
1895
Occupational and nonoccupational doses will remain well below maximum allowable levels when:
Radiographers and radiologists keep exposure as low as reasonable achievable
optimization for radiation protection (ORP)
Synonymous with ALARA. The concept of keeping radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable.
introduction and implementation of this program in a medical imaging department can lead to greater radiation safety through patient and community education.
TRACE Program
The most effective tool(s) for diagnosing breast cancer continue(s) to be:
Mammography
When radiation is safely and prudently used in the imaging of patients, the benefit of the exposure can be ________ while the potential risk of biologic damage is_______.
Maximized, Minimized
The upper boundary doses of ionizing radiation for which there is a negligible risk of bodily injury or genetic defect
Maximum allowable levels of radiation exposure
BERT is a:
Method of comparison
background equivalent radiation time (BERT)
Method to compare the amount of radiation received from a radiologic procedure with natural background radiation received over a specified period of time such as days, weeks, months, or years.
A subunit of the sievert equal to 1/1000 of a sievert
Millisievert (mSv)
When an imaging procedure is justified in terms of medical necessity, diagnostic efficacy is achieved when optimal-quality images, revealing the presence or absence of disease, are obtained with:
Minimal radiation exposure
ionizing radiation
Radiation that produces posi- tively and negatively charged particles (ions)
To implement an effective radiation safety program in a facility that provides imaging services, the employer must provide all of the following:
- an appropriate environment in which to execute an ALARA program and the necessary recourses to support the program - a written policy that describes the ALARA program ad identifies management's commitment to keeping all radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable - periodic exposure audits to determine ways to lower radiation exposure in the workplace
An effective radiation safety program requires a firm commitment to radiation safety by: (1) Facilities providing imaging services (2) Radiation workers (3) Patients
1 and 2 only
How can humans safely control the use of radiant energy? 1. By using knowledge of radiation-induced hazards that have 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
During a routine radiologic examination, when radiographers use their intelligence and knowledge to answer patient questions about the risk of radiation exposure honestly, they can do mud to allocate any patient: 1. Apprehension 2. Confidence 3. Fears
1 and 3 only
A patient may elect to assume the relatively small risk of exposure to ionizing radiation to obtain essential diagnostic medical information when: 1. illness occurs 2. injury occurs 3. a specific imaging procedure for health screening purposes is prudent
1,2, and 3
Certain individual radiologic procedures need to have patient dose dictated into every radiologic report. These procedures include: 1. Computed tomography 2. General fluoroscopy 3. Interventional procedures
1,2, and 3
Effective radiation protection measures take into consideration: 1. Both human and environmental physical determinants 2. Technical elements 3. Procedural factors
1,2, and 3
Some consequences of ionization in human cells include: (1) Creation of unstable atoms (2) Production of free electrons (3) Creation of reactive free radicals capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell
1,2, and 3
The ALARA philosophy should: 1. Be a main part of every health care facility's personnel radiation control program 2. Be established and maintained because here are no established dose limits for the amount of radiation that patients may receive for individual imaging procedures 3. Show that radiographers and radiologists in a facility have considered reasonable actions that will reduce patient and personnel dose below required limits
1,2, and 3
To reduce radiation exposure to the patient: 1. Reduce the amount of the x-ray "beam on" time 2. Utilize as much distance as warranted between the x-ray tube and the patient for the examination 3. shield the patient with appropriate gonadal and/or specific area shielding devices
1,2,and 3
Which of the following basic principles of radiation protection can be applied to both the patient and the radiographer? 1. Time 2. Distance 3. Shielding
1,2,and 3
During phase one of the TRACE Program, after new and more definitive radiation safety policies and procedures have been written, some ways of providing patient and community education are through the use of: 1. Informational posters placed strategically through-out the health care facility 2. Brochures that describe imaging procedures in simple terms 3. Basic information on a specific website designed for patient education
1,2,and3
List three advantages of using the BERT method to compare the amount of radiation received with the natural background radiation received over a given period.
1. BERT does not imply radiation risk, but rather is simply a means of comparison 2. BERT emphasizes that radiation is an innate part of our environment 3. an answer given in terms of BERT is easy for the patient to comprehend
What are the radiation workers' responsibilities to maintain an effective radiation safety program?
1. be aware of riles governing the workplace 2. perform duties consistent with ALARA
List six consequences of ionization in human cells.
1. creation of unstable atoms 2. production of free electrons 3. production of low-energy x-ray photons 4. creation of reactive free radicals capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell 5. creation of new biologic molecules detrimental to the living cell 6. injury to the cell that may manifest itself as abnormal function or loss of function
List three ways to providing education for imaging department staff when using the TRACE Program?
1. providing in-service education on various radiation safety topics to accommodate individual needs of the staff 2. handing our a fact-to-remember sheet at the end of an in-service program 3. e-mails highlighting of the most important topics covered in a staff in-service program to imaging staff members to help reinforce and retain vital information
How can imagining personnel apply the three cardinal principles of radiation protection to minimize occupational exposure?
1. shortening the length of time spent in a room where x-radiation is being produced 2. standing at the greatest distance possible from an energized x-ray beam 3. interposing a radiation-absorbent shielding material between the radiographer and the source of radiation
The millisievert (mSv) is equal to:
1/1000 of a sievert
Standardized dose reporting for radiologic procedures can lead to:
A reduction in patient radiation dose
millisievert (mSv)
A subunit of a sievert equal to one one-thousandth of a sievert (1/1000 Sv).
standardized dose reporting
A system of stan- dardizing a patient's radiation dose by having the dose dictated into the patient's report and then tracking this dose.
Radiation protection guidelines are rooted in this philosophy.
ALARA
The ______ concept should serve as a guide for the selection of technical exposure factors.
ALARA
The rationale for ______ comes from evidence compiled be scientists over the past century.
ALARA
acronym for as low as reasonably achievable
ALARA
Repetition of a radiographic exposure because of poor patient positioning results in:
An increase in total radiation exposure to the patient and the radiographer
The term optimization for radiation protection (ORP) is synonymous with the term:
As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)
Management in a health care facility should perform a periodic exposure ______ to determine how radiation exposure in the workplace may be lowered.
Audit
Method for comparing the amount of radiation received from a radiologic procedure with natural background radiation received over a specified period of time such as days, weeks, months, or years.
BERT
Method that compares the amount of radiation received, during an examination, with natural back-ground radiation over a specified period of time.
BERT
What method can be used to answer patients' questions about the amount of radiation received from a radiographic procedure?
BERT
Which of the following is a method that can be used to answer patients' questions about the amount of radiation received from a radiographic procedure?
BERT
______ does not imply radiation risk; it is simply a means for comparison.
BERT
Type of tissue that x-rays can injure.
Biologic
Who is responsible for maintaining ALARA in the medical industry? A. Radiation technologists B. Employers C. Both A and B D. None of the above
Both A and B
Ionizing radiation has a beneficial potential but it can also have another potential.
Destructive
The degree to which the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in the patient defines which of the following terms?
Diagnostic efficacy
One of the three basic principles of radiation protection
Distance
Entrance skin exposure; surface of the skin where x-radiation enters the patient's body, resulting in an area of maximum exposure
ESE
Imaging facilities must have an effective radiation safety program that provides patient protection and patient ______.
Education
Dental, intraoral EfD and BERT values
EfD - 0.06 BERT - 1 wk
Chest radiograph EfD and BERT values
EfD - 0.08 BERT - 10 days
Abdomen EfD and BERT values
EfD - 0.7 BERT - 4 mo
CT abdomen/pelvis EfD and BERT values
EfD - 10.0 BERT - 4.5 yr
Lumbar spine EfD and BERT values
EfD - 3.0 BERT - 1yr
CT chest EfD and BERT values
EfD - 8.0 BERT - 3.6 yr
Type of communication that the radiographer should have with patients.
Effective
Something that is a vital part of radiation protection in the healing arts.
Efficacy
When illness or injury occur or when a specific imaging procedure for health screening purposes is prudent, a patient may:
Elect to assume the relatively small risk of exposure to ionizing radiation to obtain essential diagnostic information
Something patients can become, when they are included in decisions concerning their own radiologic care.
Empowered
T/F A threshold exists for radiation-induced malignant disease
F
T/F BERT implies risk from radiation exposure
F
T/F BERT is based on an annual U.S. population exposure of approximately 1 mSv per year
F
T/F Diagnostic efficacy is not an important part of radiation protection in the healing arts
F
T/F Human-made radiation is more dangerous than an equal amount of natural radiation
F
T/F Humans are not continuously exposed to sources of ionizing radiation
F
T/F If a radiographer makes an error in selecting technical radiographic exposure factors for a specific projection of an anatomic body part, the projection can be repeated without an increase in radiation dose for the patient and the radiographer
F
T/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
F
T/F Most patients are unaware that most of their background radiation comes from artificial radioactivity in their own body
F
T/F Production of high-energy x-ray photons is a consequence of ionization in human cells.
F
T/F The ability of x-rays to cause injury in normal biologic tissue just became apparent recently.
F
T/F X-rays are a form of non ionizing radiation
F
T/F Healthy normal biologic tissue cannot be injured by ionizing radiation; therefore it is not necessary to protect humans against significant and continuous exposure
False
T/F The benefit of the exam should not outweigh the risk of exposure
False
Patients not only should be made aware of what a specific procedure involves and what type of cooperation is required, but also must be informed of what needs to be done, if anything, as a ______ to their examination.
Follow-up
______ understanding of biologic effects associated with diagnostic radiology was gained throughout the twentieth century.
Greater
Tools for Radiation Awareness and Community Education (TRACE Program)
In 2010 Toshiba American Medical Systems began a program to encourage hospitals to create a radiation dose awareness and dose reduction program for patients through the process of education for these individuals, for the community, for health care workers employed in the medical imaging profession, and for physicians.
Regarding the ALARA Program in a hospital setting, what are three responsibilities for the program that are entrusted to the Radiation Safety Officer by the Administration?
In a hospital setting, the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is expressly charged by the administration to be directly responsible for the execution, enforcement, and maintenance of the ALARA Program
Risk
In general terms, the probability of injury, ailment, or death resulting from an activity. In the medical industry with reference to the radiation sciences, risk is the possibility of inducing a radiogenic cancer or genetic defect after irradiation.
Which of the following is a special form of radiation that is capable of creating electrically charged particles by removing orbital electrons from the atom of the material with which it interacts? A. Ultrasonic radiation B. Ionizing radiation C. Nonionizing radiation D. Subatomic Radiation
Ionizing radiation
Positively and negatively charged particles.
Ions
Which of the following recommended the use of Background Equivalent Radiation Time for improving patient understanding and reducing fear and anxiety associated with having an x-ray procedure?
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
If patients in the same location are receiving on average approximately the same entrance skin exposure (ESE) in every health care facility for a specific imaging procedure with the exception of one facility, in which higher-radiation ESEs and subsequent doses are being received for the same procedure, that institution would:
No longer be in compliance with ALARA standards and would have to take the necessary action to bring the ESE values and subsequent doses back to a level that would comply with regulatory standards
Radiation exposure received by a radiographer, during the fulfillment of duties.
Occupational
Radiation workers are required to perform their ______ practices in a manner consistent with the ALARA principle.
Occupational
Diagnostic imaging personnel have this type of responsibility to ensure radiation safety, during all medical radiation procedures.
Ongoing
Term that is synonymous with the acronym ALARA
Optimization for radiation protection
Patients who have and understanding of the medical benefits of an imaging procedure because they received factual information about the study before having the examination are more likely to:
Overcome any radiation phobia and be willing to assume a small risk of possible biologic damage
as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)
Precept holding that occupational exposure of the radiographer and other occupationally exposed persons should be kept "as low as reasonably achievable." An ALARA program should also be established and maintained for patients. Radiation exposure should always be kept ALARA for all medical imaging procedures. It is also known as optimization.
Radiologic technologists and radiologists use ______ devices whenever possible.
Protective
Referring to radiation, what EqD is.
Quantity
Energy that only humans can control.
Radiant
Effective measures employed by radiation workers to safeguard patients, personnel, and the general public from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation define:
Radiation protection
Ionizing radiation is defined as:
Radiation that produces positively and negatively charged particles (ions) when passing through matter
Physician who carried the responsibility for determining the medical necessity of a radiation procedure for the patient.
Referring
What would increase radiation exposure for both the patient and the radiographer?
Repeated radiographic exposures as a result of technical error or carelessness
X-ray examinations that become necessary because of technical errors or carelessness.
Repeats
What "benefit" versus.
Risk
Radiologic technologists and radiologists are educated in the ______ operation of radiation-producing imaging equipment.
Safe
When radiation is used for patient examinations, both employers of radiation workers and the workers themselves have a responsibility for this in the medical industry.
Safety
SI unit of measure for the radiation quantity, "Equivalent Dose".
Sievert
Type of dose reporting that can lead to a reduction in radiation dose for the patient.
Standardized
The millisievert (mSv) is a ______ of the sievert (Sv).
Subunit
SI unit of measure for the radiation quantity, "equivalent dose"
Sv
T/F A health care facility must have a written policy statement describing the Radiation Safety Program. The statement must also identify the commitment of management to keep all radiation exposure ALARA and must be available to all employees in the workplace.
T
T/F After ordering and x-ray examination or procedure, the referring physician must accept basic responsibility for protecting the patient from non-useful radiation exposure.
T
T/F BERT is a method of explaining radiation to the public
T
T/F Diagnostic efficacy provides the basis for determining whether an imaging procure or practice is justified.
T
T/F In general terms, risk can be defined as the probability of injury, ailment, or death resulting from an activity.
T
T/F Radiation produced from an x-ray tube in an example of controllable radiant energy
T
T/F Radiologic technologists and radiologists are educated in the safe operation of radiation-producing imaging equipment
T
T/F TRACE stands for Tools for Radiation Awareness and Community Education
T
T/F The basic principles of time, distance, and shielding can be applied for the safety of both the patient and the radiographer
T
T/F The sievert (Sv) is the SI unit of EqD
T
T/F There is a need for each radiation-producing modality to record patient radiation dose.
T
T/F Various methods of radiation protection may be applied to ensure safety for persons employed in radiation industries, including medicine, and for the population at large.
T
T/F When radiographers use their intelligence and knowledge to answer a patient's questions about the risk of radiation exposure honestly, they can do much to alleviate the patient;s apprehension and fears during a routine radiologic examination.
T
What uses a two-phase program to create radiation awareness and community education?
TRACE
Which of the following is a two-phase program to create radiation awareness and community education?
TRACE
Consists of two phases: (1) formulation new policies and procedures to promote radiation safety and the implementation of patient and community education and (2) technologic enhancements
TRACE Program
What principle can be used to compare the amount of radiation that various health care facilities in a particular area use for specific imaging procedures?
The ALARA principle provides a method that can be used to compare the amount of radiation that various health care facilities in a particular area use for specific imaging procedures
sievert (Sv)
The SI unit of measure for the radiation quantities, equivalent dose (EqD and effective dose (EfD).
Define diagnostic efficacy.
The degree to which the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in the patient.
If patients in a particular location receive on average approximately the same ESE for a specific imaging procedure, but one health care facility in that same area began giving its patients higher-radiation ESEs and subsequent doses, what would be the status of that facility, and what would be the expectation for it?
The institution giving the higher-radiation ESEs and subsequent dose would no longer be in compliance with ALARA standards. This facility would have to take the necessary action to bring the ESE values and subsequent doses back to a level that would comply with regulatory standards
What is the benefit of standardized dose reporting to the referring physician?
The physician has direct access to a patient's radiation dose history and has the ability to decide whether or not the ordering of an additional radiologic procedure is advisable
Typically, people are more likely to accept a risk if they perceive that:
The potential benefit to be obtained is greater than the risk involved
If a non radiologist physician is performing a fluoroscopic procedure and a specific dose has been reached, what should the radiographer assisting that physician do?
The radiographer assisting the physician performing the fluoroscopic procedure can let the physician know that a specific dose has been reached so that the physician operating the fluoroscope will have the opportunity to decide to continue or stop the procedure.
If a patient is having a chest x-ray and the patient asks the radiographer "How much radiation will I receive from this x-ray?" how should the radiographer respond to the patient's question?
The radiographer can respond by using an estimation based on the comparison o radiation received from the x-ray to natural background radiation received, for example, over a certain number of days. Thus the radiographer can reply, "The radiation received from having a chest x-ray is equivalent to what would be received while spending approximately 10 days in your natural surroundings."
How does the Tools for Radiation Awareness and Community help patients and the community?
To enhance understanding for using radiation safety and for enabling these people to more actively participate in their own magical decisions
What does TRACE stand for?
Tools for Radiation Awareness and Community Education Program
T/F Diagnostic efficacy is achieved when the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in a patient
True
T/F Ionizing radiation has both a beneficial and destructive potential.
True
T/F Patient education is the responsibility of the radiographer.
True
T/F Radiation protection is the responsibility of the radiographer.
True
Any radiation exposure that does not benefit a person in terms of diagnostic information obtained for the clinical management of medical needs or that does not enhance the quality of a radiologic examination is called:
Unnecessary radiation
Creation of ______ atoms is a consequence of ionization in healthy tissue.
Unstable
How is risk weighed against benefit in medical radiography?
When ionizing radiation is used for the welfare of the patient, the directly realized benefits of the exposure to this radiant energy must far outweigh any slight risk of inducing a radiogenic malignancy or any genetic defects
entrance skin exposure (ESE)
X-ray exposure to the skin of the patient.
Form of ionizing radiation.
X-rays
Makes patients feel that they are active participants in their own health care
appropriate and effective communication
What does ALARA stand for?
as low as reasonably achievable
What does BERT stand for?
background equivalent radiation time
Ionizing radiation such as x-rays have both a ______ and a ______ potential.
beneficial/ destructive
When ionizing radiation is used to obtain a mammogram for the welfare of a patient, the directly realized _______ of the exposure to this radiant energy ______ ______ any slight ______ of inducing a radiogenic malignancy or any genetic defect.
benefits/ far outweigh/ risk
Damage to living tissue of animals and humans exposed to radiation
biologic effects
diagnostic efficacy
degree to which the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in the patient
The degree to which the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in a patient.
diagnostic efficacy
Something that should be provided for patients to facilitate understanding regarding a needed x-ray procedure.
education
radiation protection
effective measures employed by radiation workers to safeguard patients, personnel, and the general public from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation
In medicine, when radiation safety principles are applied correctly during imaging procedures, the ______ deposited in living tissue be radiation can be limited, thereby reducing the potential for ______ ______.
energy/ biologic effects
responsibility of facilities that provide imaging serviced
ensuring the highest quality of service
Radiologic technologists and radiologists follow ______ procedures.
established
the parts of an x-ray tube
glass envelope, target (anode +), high-speed electron stream, filament (cathode -), x-ray beam (electro-magnetic waves)
A radiographer should always shield the patient with appropriate _______ and/or ______ ______ shielding.
gonadal/ specific area
BERT emphasizes that radiation is an ______ part of our environment.
innate
As ionizing radiation passes through matter, what is the event that may cause injury in normal biologic tissue?
ionizing radiation produces positively and negatively charged particles (ions). he production the these ions is the event that may cause injury in normal biologic tissue.
X-rays are a form of ______ radiation; therefore, their use in medicine for the detection of disease and injury requires ______ measures.
ionizing/ protective
Radiation has been present on earth since:
its beginning
What is the intention behind the ALARA concept?
keep radiation exposure and consequent dose to the lowest possible level
Radiation exposure should always be kept at the ______ possible level for the general public.
lowest
Most effective tool for early diagnosis of breast cancer.
mammography
Diagnostic efficacy is ______ when essential images are produced under recommended radiation protection guidelines.
maximized
Effective radiation protection consists of the tools and techniques primarily designed to ______ radiation exposure while producing _________ diagnostic images.
minimize/optimal-quality
based of evidence of harmful biologic effects
need to safeguard against significant and continuing radiation exposure
Radiation exposure received by persons not employed in the medical imaging profession (e.g. patients, the general public)
nonoccupational doses
a consequence of ionization in human cells
production of free radicals
Effective measures employed by radiation workers to safeguard patients, personnel, and the general public from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation
radiation protection
Individual in a hospital setting expressly charged by the administration to be directly responsible for the execution, enforcement, and maintenance of the ALARA program.
radiation safety officer (RSO)
A disease process that does not have a fixed threshold
radiation-induced cancer
Have the responsibility to select technical exposure factors that significantly reduce radiation exposure to patients and themselves
radiologic technologists
In medicine, when radiation safety principles are correctly applied during imaging procedures, the energy deposited in living tissue be the radiation can be limited. This results in:
reducing the potential for adverse effects
What is the end result of the TRACE Program?
reduction in patient dose
In the medical industry with reference to the radiation sciences the possibility of inducing a radiogenic cancer or genetic defect after irradiation
risk
One of the three basic principles of radiation protection.
shielding
Radiographers should select the _____ radiation exposure that produces useful radiographic images.
smallest
The benefit to the referring physician in having direct access to a patient's radiation dose history being the option of knowing whether or not the ordering of an additional radiologic procedure is advisable
standardized dose reporting
occupational and nonoccupational doses
the radiation dose that the worker and the patient receive
To use ______ as a basic principle for radiation, a radiographer can reduce the amount of x-ray "beam-on" time.
time
What are the three basic principles of radiation protection?
time, distance, and shielding
Systems of something that has been constructed to uniquely quantify concepts of length, force, energy, and time.
units
Radiation exposure that does not benefit a person in terms of diagnostic information obtained for the clinical management of medical needs or any radiation exposure that does not enhance the quality of the study.
unnecessary
How can radiologic technologists reduce radiation exposure to patients and to themselves?
using protective devices whenever possible, by following established procedures, and by selecting technical exposure factors that significantly reduce radiation exposure
How can humans safely control the use of radiant energy?
using the knowledge of radiation hazards that has been gained over many years and by employing effective methods to limit or eliminate those hazards
