FREE ABR Radiation Biology and Protection Questions and Answers
Which of the following is the most common type of radiation interaction in human tissues?
Compton scattering is the most common interaction between X-rays and human tissues, where an X-ray photon transfers part of its energy to an electron, resulting in a scattered photon and an ionized electron.
Which of the following is true regarding the Linear Energy Transfer (LET) of radiation?
High LET radiation (e.g., alpha particles) is more effective at causing biological damage, including DNA strand breaks, because it deposits energy over a shorter distance and is more likely to cause direct ionization of biological molecules.
What is the primary purpose of using lead shielding during radiological procedures?
Lead shielding is used to protect surrounding tissues from unnecessary radiation exposure during radiological procedures by absorbing X-rays and reducing scatter radiation.
Which radiation dose is most effective at causing deterministic effects (tissue damage)?
Deterministic effects (e.g., radiation burns, cataracts) are more likely to occur after high doses of radiation delivered in a short period, where the tissue is unable to repair effectively.
What is the difference between stochastic and deterministic radiation effects?
Stochastic effects (e.g., cancer) occur randomly and the probability increases with dose, while deterministic effects (e.g., skin burns) have a threshold dose, and their severity increases with higher radiation exposure.