Ionizing Radiation Types Quiz

Study Notes

Ionizing radiation has enough energy to eject one or more electrons from atoms or molecules in the irradiated medium.
Examples of ionizing radiation include alpha, beta, and gamma radiations, as well as X-rays and some ultra-violet rays.
Visible or infrared light, microwaves, and radio waves are not ionizing radiation.

Alpha particles: consist of 2 neutrons and 2 protons, travel short distances, have large mass, and are only a hazard when inhaled.
Beta particles: consist of electrons or positrons, have small mass and variable energy, and are formed when a neutron transforms into a proton and an electron.
Gamma rays: result when the nucleus releases energy, usually after an alpha, beta, or positron transition.
X-rays: occur when an inner shell orbital electron is removed, and rearrangement of atomic electrons results in the release of the element's characteristic X-ray energy.

X-rays are photons (electromagnetic radiations) emitted from electron orbits.
Gamma rays are photons emitted from the nucleus, often as part of radioactive decay.

Radiation is an energy in the form of electro-magnetic waves or particulate matter, traveling in the air.
Radioactivity involves unstable atoms emitting and absorbing particles to reach stability.
Unstable atoms have an excess of energy or mass and emit radiation to reach stability.

Atoms are composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
The number of protons (atomic number) determines the element, while the number of protons and neutrons (mass number) determines the atomic mass.

Erect positions: patient is standing with a specific surface of the body next to the cassette.
Recumbent positions: patient is lying down, with specific positions including supine (posterior recumbent), prone (anterior recumbent), and right or left lateral recumbent.
Oblique positions: body is rotated so that the medial sagittal plane is at an angle to the film.
Decubitus positions: patient is lying down, with a horizontal beam used, and can be ventral, dorsal, or lateral decubitus.

Projection refers to the path the beam takes through the part.
Types of projections include anteroposterior (AP), posteroanterior (PA), and axial projections.
Body planes include coronal, sagittal, axial, and transverse planes.

Directional terms: anterior, posterior, cephalad, caudal, lateral, medial, proximal, and distal.
Joint movement terms: extension, flexion, abduction, adduction, rotation, pronation, and supination.
Examples of joint movements include abduction (away from the midline), adduction (towards the midline), and rotation (around the body part's axis).