Radiation Protection in Medical
Radiography UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
absorbed dose - CORRECT ANSWER -the amount of energy that is deposited in a
material per unit mass of the material
ALARA - CORRECT ANSWER -as low as reasonably achievable
-synonymous w/ the term optimization for radiation protection (ORP)
alert levels - CORRECT ANSWER -where pt dose is predicted to or has actually
substantially exceeded present dose levels. Staff radiologist is notified.
Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging - CORRECT ANSWER -A partnership
of medical societies, founded in 2007, whose overall common purpose is to reduce dose for
pediatric patients.
background equivalent radiation time (BERT) - CORRECT ANSWER -Method to
compare the amount of radiation received from a radiologic procedure with natural background
radiation received over a specified period of time such as days, weeks, months, or years.
-recommended by US National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements (NCRP)
-based on annual US population exposure of approx. 3 mSv per year
biologic effects - CORRECT ANSWER -living tissue of animals and humans can be
damaged by exposure to ionizing radiation
coulomb per kilogram (C/kg) - CORRECT ANSWER -SI unit of radiation exposure
-milliroentgens (mR)
, diagnostic efficacy - CORRECT ANSWER -degree to which the diagnostic study
accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in the pt while adhering to radiation safety
guidelines
effective dose - CORRECT ANSWER -attempt to provide a quantity that is a measure of
general harm in humans
-amount of absorbed dose rcv'd by humans
-exact type of radiation
-specific organs or organ systems irradiated
-intended to be best overall measure of biologic effects of ionizing radiation
-specified in millisievert (mSv)
exposure - CORRECT ANSWER -amount of ionization produced in air when ionizing
radiation is present
-coulomb per kilogram (C/kg) -> mR
gray (Gy) - CORRECT ANSWER -Unit in the International System used to measure the
amount of energy absorbed in any medium; 1 Gy = 100 radiation absorbed doses
Image Gently Campaign - CORRECT ANSWER -A campaign launched in 2008 to raise
awareness about methods to reduce CT radiation dose during pediatric medical imaging exams.
- includes establishment of Image Gently website
Image Wisely Campaign - CORRECT ANSWER -objectives of lowering amount of
radiation used in medically necessary imaging studies & eliminating unnecessary procedures
- created by collaboration btwn The Joint Task Force & American Association of Physicists in
Medicine (AAPM) and the ASRT
- offers resources & info as guidance to radiologists, medical physicists, other imaging
practitioners & pts.
Radiography UPDATED ACTUAL
Questions and CORRECT Answers
absorbed dose - CORRECT ANSWER -the amount of energy that is deposited in a
material per unit mass of the material
ALARA - CORRECT ANSWER -as low as reasonably achievable
-synonymous w/ the term optimization for radiation protection (ORP)
alert levels - CORRECT ANSWER -where pt dose is predicted to or has actually
substantially exceeded present dose levels. Staff radiologist is notified.
Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging - CORRECT ANSWER -A partnership
of medical societies, founded in 2007, whose overall common purpose is to reduce dose for
pediatric patients.
background equivalent radiation time (BERT) - CORRECT ANSWER -Method to
compare the amount of radiation received from a radiologic procedure with natural background
radiation received over a specified period of time such as days, weeks, months, or years.
-recommended by US National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements (NCRP)
-based on annual US population exposure of approx. 3 mSv per year
biologic effects - CORRECT ANSWER -living tissue of animals and humans can be
damaged by exposure to ionizing radiation
coulomb per kilogram (C/kg) - CORRECT ANSWER -SI unit of radiation exposure
-milliroentgens (mR)
, diagnostic efficacy - CORRECT ANSWER -degree to which the diagnostic study
accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in the pt while adhering to radiation safety
guidelines
effective dose - CORRECT ANSWER -attempt to provide a quantity that is a measure of
general harm in humans
-amount of absorbed dose rcv'd by humans
-exact type of radiation
-specific organs or organ systems irradiated
-intended to be best overall measure of biologic effects of ionizing radiation
-specified in millisievert (mSv)
exposure - CORRECT ANSWER -amount of ionization produced in air when ionizing
radiation is present
-coulomb per kilogram (C/kg) -> mR
gray (Gy) - CORRECT ANSWER -Unit in the International System used to measure the
amount of energy absorbed in any medium; 1 Gy = 100 radiation absorbed doses
Image Gently Campaign - CORRECT ANSWER -A campaign launched in 2008 to raise
awareness about methods to reduce CT radiation dose during pediatric medical imaging exams.
- includes establishment of Image Gently website
Image Wisely Campaign - CORRECT ANSWER -objectives of lowering amount of
radiation used in medically necessary imaging studies & eliminating unnecessary procedures
- created by collaboration btwn The Joint Task Force & American Association of Physicists in
Medicine (AAPM) and the ASRT
- offers resources & info as guidance to radiologists, medical physicists, other imaging
practitioners & pts.
