Patient and Human Safety During Radiography

Which of the following areas should be vacated when the machine is in use?

Supervised area and Controlled area (correct)
Field or paddock
Controlled area
Supervised area

What is the purpose of signage and lights in an x-ray room?

To indicate the room should not be entered (correct)
To attract patients
To provide instructions for entering the room
To improve the quality of x-ray images

Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce the need for repeat exposures during an x-ray?

Collimation
Increasing the radiation dose (correct)
Positioning
Centering

According to the inverse square law, what happens to the exposure when the distance is doubled?

The exposure quarters (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recommended way to reduce exposure to radiation?

Using rubber gloves (A) Signup and view all the answers

When do the protection measures become problematic?

During linear accelerator use (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why must heavily sedated patients be precautioned during imaging?

To ensure they remain still (D) Signup and view all the answers

What should not be used near an MRI scanner?

Ferrous metal (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of patients require head rests or cages during imaging?

Heavily sedated patients (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which form of electro-magnetic radiation is considered 'ionising radiation' and can affect your DNA?

X-rays (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the major problem associated with X-rays and Gamma Rays?

They can ionise atoms (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does ALARP stand for?

As Low as Reasonably Practicable (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of dosimetry in radiation protection?

To monitor radiation exposure (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a practical measure for protection against ionising radiation?

Wearing a lead apron (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of having a controlled area with signage and warning lights in radiation protection?

To prevent entry when active (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why it is difficult to determine the dangerous amount of radiation?

The complexity of monitoring exposure (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are the legal requirements for working with ionising radiation?

Having a controlled area with signage and warning lights (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of shielding in radiation protection?

To enhance the effectiveness of radiation protection (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential danger of X-rays and Gamma Rays?

They are 'ionising radiation' and can affect any atom including your DNA, which can lead to cancer development. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to determine the dangerous amount of radiation?

There are a lot of atoms in the body and fail safes for managing DNA that goes 'rogue'. Additionally, cosmic rays are always hitting us and the effects of direct and subsequent radiation from events like Chernobyl are unclear. Signup and view all the answers

What are the practical measures for protection against ionising radiation?

Monitoring through dosimetry and implementing the principle of ALARP (As Low as Reasonably Practicable). Signup and view all the answers

What are some working practices that can help reduce exposure to radiation?

Using sedation or GA to minimize handling, increasing distance to the patient, and having a controlled area with signage and warning lights to prevent entry when active. Signup and view all the answers

What are the legal requirements for working with ionising radiation?

Implementing the precautions of ALARP and following the working practices, amount of radiation used, distance from radiation source, and shielding. Signup and view all the answers

What are some practical measures for protection against ionising radiation?

Collimation, centering, positioning, labelling, reducing artefacts so that repeat exposures aren't needed. Using previous settings for kV and mAs that gave good quality. Leaving the room and increasing distance. Using cassette holders for large animals. Wearing lead gowns, gloves, and thyroid protectors. Using portable shields. Having lead lined walls and doors. Signup and view all the answers

What are some considerations for protection measures when working with large animals?

When working with heavily sedated patients, precautions such as head rests or cages are needed to hold them in place. The patients must be sedated to ensure they remain still during imaging. Additionally, when using an MRI scanner, ferrous metals should not be used nearby and MRI compatible devices are necessary. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a controlled area with signage and warning lights?

The purpose of a controlled area with signage and warning lights is to indicate that the room should not be entered when the machine is in use. It is a safety measure to protect individuals from unnecessary exposure to radiation. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between distance and exposure according to the inverse square law?

According to the inverse square law, when the distance is doubled, the exposure is quartered. This means that as the distance from the source of radiation increases, the exposure decreases exponentially. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of shielding in radiation protection?

The role of shielding in radiation protection is to absorb and block the radiation. Lead is commonly used as a shielding material because it is dense and effective at absorbing radiation. Lead gowns, gloves, and thyroid protectors are examples of shielding devices. Signup and view all the answers