Radiation Safety

Ionize them ejecting electrons usually from outer shell

What do X-rays do to atoms?

Increases mutation rate

Fetal abnormalities or death

Shorten life

Increase cancer risk

How does radiation induce damage to DNA?

Scatter radiation

What is the major source of radiation to vets and techs?

Things like burns

What is a deterministic side effect of radiation?

Dependent - increases severity w/ higher doses

Deterministic is dose ____?

Deterministic has a threshold, Stochastic does not

Which of the two has a threshold in which no side effects will be seen, Deterministic or Stochastic?

Things like cancer, hereditary defects, mutations

What is a Stochastic side effect of radiation?

Independent - side effects can occur regardless of dose

Stochastic is dose ___?

Measure radiation exposure of personal

What is the purpose of a dosimeter?

At level of thyroid

Where should an external dosimeter be worn?

Under the gown at the level of the belt

Where should the badge depicted be worn?

Zero - radiation should not penetrate

Badges worn under the gown should always read ____ rems?

To see how much radiation is going to the face and uncovered areas of the body

Why do we wear external badges?

Monthly to quarterly

How often should badges be changed?

In Sieverts (Sv) or rem

How is radiation exposure measured?

0.05Sv or 5 rem

What is the occupational yearly dose limit >

0.01Sv or 1 rem

What is the lifetime occupational dose or radiation limit?

0.05 rem/month - better just to stay away

What is the dose limit for a pregnant women?

As Low As Reasonably Achievable

What does ALARA stand for?

Time

Distance

Shielding

What three things are managed in ALARA?

Passive restraint - sedate and use restraints so no personal is needed in the room

What are some methods to reduce the time you are exposed?

Reduce

Increasing the distance between an individual and radiation will ___ the exposure?

the intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source of radiation

- the farther away the more spread out the radiation and therefore less likelihood you will to be exposed

What is the inverse square law?

Lead and concrete - high atomic # and are dense

What are two materials that are good for shielding against radiation?

Body apron

Thyroid sheild

Gloves

Name a few PPE items for taking rads?

Thyroid (women especially)

Breast tissue

What tissues are most sensitive to radiation?

Scatter

Primary X-ray

Glove and gowns will protect from ___ radiation but not ____ radiation?

Reduces scatter - less pt tissue exposed

Improves image quality

Decreases human exposure

What does collimation do?

True - keep hands out of area

True or false: There is still radiation outside of the collimated beam?