Unit 1: Radiation Safety

What does ALARA stand for?

As

Low

As

Reasonably

Achievable

Which fluid compartment does can radiation ionize?

Intracellular fluids

Effects of radiation exposure is dependent on what 5 things?

1. How much is the body exposed? (Smaller area = less damage)

2. Sensitivity of tissue (eyes/mm/testes = more sensitive)

3. Total dose received (larger dose = more damage)

4. Time (single massive dose = more lethal than several lower doses over long time)

5. Age (younger = more damage)

What is an acute dose of radiation?

• Large amount over short period of time

Effects: immediate/short term damage

What is a chronic dose of radiation?

• Low levels over long period of time

Effects: long term effects appearing years later

List 3 reasons exposure can be due to

1. Leakage from xray tube

2. Primary beam

3. Scatter radiation (worst offender)

3 things scatter radiation is dependent on

1. Patient thickness/density (more dense = more scatter)

2. Energy (kVp) (higher kVp = more scatter)

3. Size of radiation field (larger field = more scatter)

What do dosimeters measure?

Amount of ionizing radiation someone receives over a specific period of time

Who do we report damage of a dosimeter to?

Clinic radiation safety officer

3 ideal qualities of a dosimeter storage area

• Not exposed to radiation

• Not exposed to light

• Not exposed to heat

What are the 3 major radiation safety rules?

• Time (shortest possible exposure time)

• Distance (increase distance from beam)

• Shielding (PPE)

How often should PPE be radiographed for safety?

Annually

What is the purpose of a collimator test?

Verifies that the visual light field of an xray machine matches the actual invisible radiation beam.