Radiation Safety in Veterinary Medicine

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to radiation safety in veterinary medicine, emphasizing important terms, principles, and safety protocols.

ALARA

As Low As Reasonably Achievable; a principle to minimize radiation exposure.

Cumulative Radiation Exposure

Radiation exposure that accumulates over time, potentially leading to adverse health effects.

Stochastic Effects

Effects that occur by chance, with no threshold for dose, often manifesting as cancer or genetic mutations years after exposure.

Deterministic Effects

Effects that occur shortly after exposure and manifest at specific dose levels, such as skin burns or tissue necrosis.

Dosimeters

Devices used to measure and monitor exposure to radiation in the workplace.

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment, including lead aprons, gloves, and goggles, worn to protect against radiation.

WHMIS

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, Canada's national hazard communication standard.

Primary Radiation

The radiation that is emitted directly from the x-ray tube.

Secondary Radiation

The scatter radiation that exists after the primary beam interacts with matter.

Maximum Permissible Dose (MPD)

The maximum amount of radiation exposure that a worker is allowed to receive in a given timeframe.

mSv

Millisieverts, a unit measuring the biological effect of radiation.

Radiation Safety Protocols

Established procedures and guidelines designed to protect individuals from unnecessary radiation exposure.

X-ray Tube

A device where x-rays are produced, consisting of an anode, cathode, and glass envelope.