ch.1 introduction to radiation protection

What is radiation protection?

is the science of protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

What is ionization in the context of radiation?

the removal or addition of electrons from atoms, which can cause biological damage.

What is a primary photon?

is an X-ray photon that travels in a straight path from the X-ray tube to the patient before interacting with any matter.

What happens when a photon changes direction?

It becomes a scattered photon and loses energy, which can contribute to patient and occupational dose.

What is the benefit of increasing distance from a radiation source?

Doubling the distance from the source reduces the dose by a factor of four (Inverse Square Law).

Why is radiation dose information important in medical imaging?

It helps evaluate how much information is obtained from the exam and how it benefits the patient, balancing diagnostic value with exposure.

What is the goal of radiation protection in diagnostic imaging?

To minimize radiation exposure while achieving the necessary diagnostic image quality.

Name two key initiatives that promote radiation safety.

Image Gently (for pediatric patients) and Image Wisely (for adult patients).

What is the ALARA principle?

stands for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable," guiding the minimization of radiation exposure.