Introduction to Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Study Guide

Radiation: Defined as energy that is transmitted by waves through space or through a medium.
Energy: Defined as the capacity to create work. It exists in several distinct forms: * Mechanical energy. * Electrical energy. * Heat energy. * Nuclear energy. * Electromagnetic energy.
Ionization: Any process by which a neutral atom gains or loses an electron, thereby acquiring a net charge.
X-rays: * Also referred to as Roentgen rays. * They are a human-made form of electromagnetic energy. * Creation: X-rays are created when electrons moving at a high speed are suddenly stopped.
Medical Radiation Sciences: This field involves using various forms of energy to create images of the human body. * Diverse energy forms are applied depending on the clinical requirement. * Certain energies produce ionizations in human tissue. * To ensure safety, the energies used are maintained at specific levels for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Electromagnetic Energy: * X-rays: Used for ionizing radiation imaging. * Radio waves: Used in conjunction with magnetic fields for imaging. * The placement of energy on the electromagnetic spectrum is determined by its frequency and wavelength.
Sound Energy: * Utilized in Medical Sonography. * This is a form of mechanical energy.
Electrical Energy: * Utilized in Electrocardiography.
Heat (Thermal) Energy: * Utilized in Thermography.
Magnetic Energy: * Utilized in Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( $MRI$ ).
Nuclear Energy: * Specifically Gamma radiation emitted from the nucleus of an atom.

Radiography: * Uses electromagnetic energy in the form of X-rays. * The energy creates ionizations which produce the medical image, though this process has the potential to harm living tissue. * Professional competence requires the safe application of these energies.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography: * Employs high-frequency sound energy (mechanical energy). * It is a non-ionizing modality. * It has a broad range of medical applications. * Professionals in this field receive credentialing through formal education and training.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): * Utilizes high-strength magnetic fields combined with radio waves. * It is a non-ionizing imaging modality.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scanning: * Uses X-ray energy and sophisticated computer software to generate cross-sectional images. * It acquires hundreds of views of patient anatomy as the X-ray tube and CT detector rotate around the individual. * CT technologists undergo advanced education and training.
Nuclear Medicine: * Employs nuclear energy from atoms to create images. * Uses radioactive isotopes to generate gamma radiation. * Radiopharmaceuticals are administered to patients to assess physiological functioning. * Advanced education is required for nuclear medicine technology.

Cardiovascular Interventional Technology (CVIT): * Uses X-rays to visualize human blood vessels and heart anatomy. * Involves the use of a catheter and the injection of X-ray contrast material. * Procedures take place in a sterile angiography laboratory. * Technologists work in close collaboration with angiographers.
Radiation Therapy: * Uses very-high-energy ionizing radiation specifically for the treatment of malignant tumors (cancer). * Radiation therapists collaborate with the Oncology Team, including Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology. * Therapists work with medical dosimetrists to calculate and administer precise treatment plans.

General History of Medicine: * The recorded timeline of medicine dates back $5000$ years. * Hippocrates is regarded as the "Father of Western Medicine." * The scientific method was formally applied to medicine in the $17^{th}$ century. * Louis Pasteur discovered the role of germs in the disease process. * Antibiotics and vaccines were developed during the $20^{th}$ century. * The human genetic code ( $DNA$ ) was discovered in the mid- $20^{th}$ century.
The Discovery of X-rays: * Discovered by Wilhelm C. Röntgen on November $8, 1895$ . * Röntgen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in $1901$ . * The first radiograph ever taken was an image of his wife's hand.

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT): * Founded in $1922$ . * Headquartered in Minneapolis, $MN$ . * Website: www.arrt.org. * Provides credentialing for $15$ disciplines via primary and post-primary pathways. * Internationally recognized and requires Continuing Education ( $CE$ ) and Continuing Qualifications Requirements ( $CQR$ ) to maintain competency.
ARRT Disciplines and Credentials: 1. Bone Densitometry ( $BD$ ) 2. Breast Sonography ( $BS$ ) 3. Cardiac Interventional Radiography ( $CI$ ) 4. Cardio-vascular Interventional ( $CV$ ) 5. Computed Tomography ( $CT$ ) 6. Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( $MR$ ) 7. Mammography ( $M$ ) 8. Quality Management ( $QM$ ) 9. Nuclear Medicine Technology ( $N$ ) 10. Radiation Therapy ( $T$ ) 11. Radiography ( $R$ ) 12. Registered Radiologist Assistant ( $R.R.A.$ ) 13. Sonography ( $S$ ) 14. Vascular Sonography ( $VS$ ) 15. Vascular Interventional Radiography ( $VI$ )

Professional Nomenclature: The field is variously called Radiology, X-ray, Medical Imaging, Diagnostic Services, Imaging Services, or simply Imaging. It is primarily a diagnostic service intended to identify medical conditions.
Career Pathways: * Often starts with a background in general radiography, designated as $R.T.(R)(ARRT)$ . * Clinical Practice Standards for Radiography were developed by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT). * Opportunities exist in: * Radiology Administration (Certified Radiology Administrator, or $CRA$ ). * Education and Research. * Commercial entities: Sales, Applications, Service, and Biomedical Engineering.
The Health Care Team: * Team members include Physicians (Medical Doctors, or $MD$ , and Doctors of Osteopathy, or $DO$ ), Nurses, Allied Health personnel, and supporting non-clinical members. * Most health careers are categorized as allied health. * Hospitals function as "communities within communities."