Radiation Protection In Medical Radiography:
Questions With Expert-Level Solutions
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.
ionizing radiation Correct Answer - radiation w/ enough energy to free
electrons from atoms forming ions, may cause cancer (ex. gamma, X-rays, UV).
milligray (mGy) Correct Answer - a subunit of a gray (Gy) equal to one
one-thousandth of a gray (1/1000 Gy)
milliroentgens (mR) Correct Answer - subunit of roentgen, a nonmetric
unit likewise used for measuring ionizing capability of radiation
-equal to 1/1000 of a roentgen
Questions With Expert-Level Solutions
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.
ionizing radiation Correct Answer - radiation w/ enough energy to free
electrons from atoms forming ions, may cause cancer (ex. gamma, X-rays, UV).
milligray (mGy) Correct Answer - a subunit of a gray (Gy) equal to one
one-thousandth of a gray (1/1000 Gy)
milliroentgens (mR) Correct Answer - subunit of roentgen, a nonmetric
unit likewise used for measuring ionizing capability of radiation
-equal to 1/1000 of a roentgen
