ch. 2 radiation types, sources and dose received

What are Image Gently and Image Wisely?

Initiatives promoting radiation protection for pediatric and adult patients, respectively.

Why is balancing radiation dose and diagnostic benefit important?

To ensure optimal image quality while minimizing risk to the patient.

What are the two main types of radiation?

Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.

What makes ionizing radiation harmful?

It has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating ions.

What are some examples of ionizing radiation?

X-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, and neutrons.

What are some sources of natural background radiation?

Cosmic rays, terrestrial radiation, internal radionuclides, and radon gas.

What are man-made sources of radiation?

Medical imaging (X-rays, CT scans), nuclear power, industrial uses, and consumer products.

What is cosmic radiation?

High-energy radiation from outer space that interacts with the Earth's atmosphere.

What is terrestrial radiation?

Radiation emitted from naturally occurring radioactive materials in the Earth’s crust.

What is radon gas?

A radioactive gas from the decay of uranium in soil and rocks, a significant source of natural background radiation.

What is a tissue weighting factor?

A value that reflects the sensitivity of different body tissues to radiation.

What is a radiation weighting factor?

A factor that accounts for the biological effectiveness of different types of radiation.

What is the unit for effective dose?

The sievert (Sv), which considers both the radiation type and tissue sensitivity.

Which radiation type has the highest radiation weighting factor?

Alpha particles, due to their high biological impact despite low penetration.