Question 1

Which of the following provides the basis for determining whether an imaging procedure or practice is justified?

Accepted Answer

Diagnostic efficacy is the measure of how accurately and reliably a diagnostic imaging procedure can identify a disease or condition. It is the basis for determining whether an imaging procedure is justified. ALARA concept (A) is a radiation safety principle and is not directly related to justifying imaging procedures. BERT method (B) is a method for estimating radiation doses from medical imaging procedures and is not directly related to justifying imaging procedures. NEXT program (D) is a program aimed at promoting responsible use of medical imaging, but it is not directly related to justifying imaging procedures.

Question 2

The millisievert (mSv)is equal to

Accepted Answer

The millisievert (mSv) is equal to 1/1000 of a sievert, which is a unit used to measure the health effect of low levels of ionizing radiation on the human body.

Question 3

Radiology departments or individual radiologic technologists can "pledge" to image gently.The pledge includes which of the following?
1)Make the image gently message a priority in staff communications each year.
2)Review the protocol recommendations and,when necessary,implement adjustments to practice processes.
3)Communicate openly with parents.

Accepted Answer

The Image Gently campaign encourages practices to prioritize gentle imaging techniques, review and adjust protocols as necessary, and maintain open communication with parents, encompassing all the listed actions.

Question 4

The advantages of the BERT method are
1)it does not imply radiation risk;it is simply a means for comparison.
2)it emphasizes that radiation is an innate part of our environment.
3)it provides an answer that is easy for the patient to comprehend.

Accepted Answer

BERT (Background Equivalent Radiation Time) is a method used to communicate radiation risk by comparing it to natural background radiation. All three statements are advantages of BERT: it doesn't imply additional risk, highlights natural radiation, and simplifies understanding for patients.

Question 5

In a team approach to patient care,various participants
1)assume responsibility for their areas of expertise.
2)emphasize the importance of communication throughout the team
3)rotate as the person in charge of the team

Accepted Answer

In a team approach to patient care, various participants assume responsibility for their areas of expertise and emphasize the importance of communication throughout the team. However, rotating as the person in charge of the team is not a common practice in team-based care. Therefore, options 1 and 2 are correct, while option 3 is not, making A the best choice.

Question 6

Which of the following statements below is true?

Accepted Answer

Although there are radiation dose thresholds for deterministic effects (such as radiation sickness), it appears that there is no safe dose of ionizing radiation to completely eliminate the risk of malignancy. This is known as the linear no-threshold (LNT) hypothesis. The ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principle is a radiation protection principle aimed at minimizing radiation dose to the public and workers, but it does not establish a specific dose level for radiation-induced malignancy. The BERT (background equivalent radiation time) method is a tool to help explain radiation exposure to the public, but it does not establish a specific dose level for radiation-induced malignancy. The NEXT program is a radiation protection program for nuclear medicine and medical imaging professionals and does not establish a specific dose level for radiation-induced malignancy.

Question 7

The cardinal principles of radiation protection include which of the following?
1)Time
2)Distance
3)Shielding

Accepted Answer

The cardinal principles of radiation protection include the three options: Time, Distance, and Shielding. These principles serve as a guideline for reducing the exposure to radiation, and they work together to minimize the risks associated with radiation exposure. The longer the time of exposure, the greater the amount of radiation. Therefore, reducing the time of exposure is a key principle in radiation protection. Similarly, increasing the distance from the radiation source can reduce the amount of radiation exposure. Finally, shielding can provide a physical barrier between the radiation source and the person, reducing the exposure. All three principles must be considered and used together to ensure effective radiation protection.

Question 8

Which of the following radiation quantities is intended to be the best overall measure of the biologic effects of ionizing radiation?

Accepted Answer

Effective dose takes into account both the quantity and quality of radiation absorbed by a specific organ or tissue, as well as the sensitivity of that organ or tissue to radiation. This makes it the best overall measure of the biologic effects of ionizing radiation. Exposure only measures the amount of ionization that occurs in air and does not take into account individual variations in radiation sensitivity. Absorbed dose measures the amount of energy deposited in tissue but does not take into account differences in radiation quality or sensitivity.

Question 9

Why should the selection of technical exposure factors for all medical imaging procedures always follow ALARA?

Accepted Answer

The ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle is applied to minimize radiation exposure to patients because there is no known threshold below which radiation exposure is considered completely safe for the induction of cancer. This means that any amount of radiation could potentially contribute to the risk of developing cancer, hence the importance of minimizing exposure.

Question 10

X-rays are a form of which of the following kinds of radiation?

Accepted Answer

X-rays are a type of ionizing radiation, which means they have enough energy to remove electrons from atoms or molecules and create ions. This ionization can damage living tissues, which makes X-rays useful in medical imaging and cancer treatment.

Question 11

Why is a question concerning the amount of radiation a patient will receive during a specific x-ray procedure difficult to answer?
1)Because the received dose is specified in a number of different units of measure
2)Because the scientific units for radiation dose are normally not comprehensible by a patient
3)Because the patient should not receive any information about radiation dose

Accepted Answer

The amount of radiation a patient will receive during a specific x-ray procedure is difficult to answer because the received dose is specified in a number of different units of measure and because the scientific units for radiation dose are normally not comprehensible by a patient. However, it is not true that the patient should not receive any information about radiation dose, as it is important for informed consent and to minimize unnecessary exposure.

Question 12

In a hospital setting,which of the following professionals is expressly charged by the hospital administration with being directly responsible for the execution,enforcement,and maintenance of the ALARA program?

Accepted Answer

The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is the person who is specifically responsible for ensuring that the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) program is executed, enforced, and maintained. This is because the RSO has the knowledge and expertise to develop and implement radiation safety policies and procedures, as well as oversee the use of radiation in the hospital. The assistant administrator of the facility and chief of staff may have a role in overseeing the hospital operations overall, but they may not have specific knowledge of radiation safety. Student radiologic technologists are not responsible for managing the hospital's ALARA program.

Question 13

If a patient asks a radiographer a question about how much radiation he or she will receive from a specific x-ray procedure,the radiographer can

Accepted Answer

The radiographer can respond by using an estimation based on the comparison of radiation received from the x-ray to natural background radiation received. This provides the patient with an idea of the amount of radiation they will be exposed to and can help alleviate any concerns they may have. Avoiding the patient's question or refusing to answer it can lead to mistrust and anxiety, while telling the patient it is unethical to discuss such concerns is untrue and unhelpful. Recommending that the patient speak with the referring physician may be appropriate in some cases, but the radiographer should still provide an estimate of radiation exposure if possible.

Question 14

Typically,people are more willing to accept a risk if they perceive that the potential benefit to be obtained is

Accepted Answer

People are more likely to accept a risk if they believe that the potential benefit to be obtained is greater than the risk involved. This is often the case in situations where people weigh the potential benefits of a particular action against the potential risks associated with that action. If the perceived benefits outweigh the perceived risks, individuals are more likely to take the risk and engage in the activity.

Question 15

What unit is used to measure radiation exposure in the metric International System of Units?

Accepted Answer

The unit used to measure radiation exposure in the metric International System of Units (SI) is the coulomb per kilogram, which measures the amount of ionization produced in air by X-rays or gamma rays.

Question 16

Consequences of ionization in human cells include
1)creation of unstable atoms.
2)production of free electrons.
3)creation of highly reactive free radicals capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell.
4)creation of new biologic molecules detrimental to the living cell.
5)injury to the cell that may manifest itself as abnormal function or loss of function.

Accepted Answer

Ionization in human cells can lead to the creation of unstable atoms, production of free electrons, and highly reactive free radicals that can produce substances poisonous to the cell. These processes can also result in the creation of new biological molecules that are detrimental to the cell and cause cell injury, manifesting as abnormal or loss of function.

Question 17

Which of the following is a form of radiation that is capable of creating electrically charged particles by removing orbital electrons from the atom of normal matter through which it passes?

Accepted Answer

Ionizing radiation is capable of removing orbital electrons from atoms in normal matter, creating electrically charged particles. This includes forms of radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, and alpha and beta particles. Nonionizing radiation, such as radio waves and microwaves, does not have enough energy to remove electrons and create charged particles. Subatomic radiation is not a recognized term in radiation physics. Ultrasonic radiation refers to sound waves with frequencies too high for humans to hear, and does not create ionized particles.

Question 18

Which of the following is a method of explaining radiation to the public?

Accepted Answer

BERT stands for Biological Effects of Radiation Time and is a method of explaining radiation exposure to the public in a way they can relate to. It uses time as a reference to compare different levels of radiation exposure and their biological effects on the human body.

Question 19

Regarding exposure to ionizing radiation,patients who are educated to understand the medical benefit of an imaging procedure are more likely to

Accepted Answer

Patients who are educated regarding the medical benefit of an imaging procedure are more likely to suppress any radiation phobia and be willing to assume a small chance of possible biologic damage. It is important to help patients understand the risks and benefits of diagnostic imaging to make informed decisions about their care. Cancelling the procedure due to fear of radiation exposure may lead to missed diagnoses and delayed treatment.

Question 20

What organization was founded in 2007 that continues their pursuit to raise awareness of the need for dose reduction protocols by promoting pediatric-specified scan protocols to be used for both radiology and nonradiology users of CT?

Accepted Answer

The Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging was founded in 2007 with a goal of promoting dose reduction protocols for CT scans specifically for pediatric patients.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Radiation Protection