RTE 1000 Protection and Properties of X-rays

Properties of X-rays: Speed

Travels at the speed of light ($186,400\text{ miles/s}$).

Properties of X-rays: Energy composition

Heterogeneous or polyenergetic, consisting of photons with many different energy levels.

Properties of X-rays: Charge and focusability

Electrically neutral and cannot be focused with an optical lens.

Properties of X-rays: Interaction with matter and tissue

Causes indirect gas ionization, yields fluorescence, affects photographic film, releases a small amount of heat in tissue, causes chemical and biological damage, and produces scatter/secondary radiation.

Cardinal principles of radiation protection

Time, distance, and shielding.

Ionized

State of an atom or molecule that has gained or lost electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge.

ALARA

Radiation safety acronym standing for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable."

Beam restriction

Limiting the exposure field size to reduce irradiated tissue volume and minimize patient dose.

Who should NEVER hold a patient during an examination and why?

Radiographers / X-ray personnel, due to their higher cumulative occupational radiation exposure.

Safety requirements for a family member holding a patient

Must be properly shielded and should be male whenever possible to protect female reproductive anatomy.

Alternative personnel if a family member cannot hold a patient

A member of the patient's care team.

Priority level of X-ray personnel for standing in the room to hold a patient

They are the last resort.

Mobile radiology

Imaging procedure where portable equipment is brought directly to the patient.

Fluoroscopy -what year?

1950s; Real-time, continuous X-ray imaging modality that can be recorded and replayed.

Tomography. what does it use? what does it do?

Imaging technique using energetic rays or sound waves to construct cross-sectional images or "slices" of an object or body.

CT -what year?

Computed Tomography; 1970s; Diagnostic modality combining X-rays with computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional slices of internal structures.

Bone densitometry

Low-dose X-ray examination designed to quantify calcium and mineral density in bones.

Vascular imaging. what does it use? what does it do?

Diagnostic method using X-rays, sound waves, or magnetic fields to evaluate blood flow inside arteries and veins.

MRI-what year? what does it use? what does it do?

1980s; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Diagnostic procedure using powerful magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves to visualize soft tissues without ionizing radiation.

PET -what year?

Positron Emission Tomography; 1970s; Nuclear medicine scan that shows how your organs and tissues are working at a cellular level

Nuclear medicine. what does it use? what does it do?

Specialty using small doses of radioactive tracers to evaluate organ function and locate areas of high metabolic activity, such as cancer.

Radiation therapy

Medical treatment employing targeted high-energy radiation beams to destroy malignant cells and reduce tumor volume.