ARRT - American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Radiation Protection Principles Questions and Answers

Question 1

A radiographer is performing a portable chest X-ray.
To minimize their own radiation exposure during the procedure, which of the following actions is the MOST effective application of the radiation protection principle of distance?

Accepted Answer

Standing 6 feet away from the patient and primary beam.

Answer

Wearing a lead apron with 0.5 mm lead equivalence.

Answer

Reducing the exposure time by increasing the mA.

Answer

Using a high kVp, low mAs technique.

Question 2

The guiding philosophy of radiation protection, which states that all exposures should be kept as low as reasonably achievable, is known by which acronym?

Accepted Answer

ALARA

Answer

HIPAA

Answer

NCRP

Answer

ICRP

Question 3

Which of the following are the three cardinal principles of radiation protection?

Accepted Answer

Time, Distance, Shielding

Answer

Justification, Optimization, Dose Limitation

Answer

Collimation, Filtration, Grids

Answer

Absorbed Dose, Equivalent Dose, Effective Dose

Question 4

According to the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP), the annual effective dose limit for occupational exposure to a radiologic technologist is:

Accepted Answer

50 mSv (5 rem)

Answer

1 mSv (0.1 rem)

Answer

5 mSv (0.5 rem)

Answer

150 mSv (15 rem)

Question 5

A patient requires a series of fluoroscopic images for a gastrointestinal study. The principle of 'Justification' in radiation protection is best demonstrated by which of the following actions?

Accepted Answer

Confirming that the potential diagnostic benefit of the exam outweighs the radiation risk involved.

Answer

Using the tightest possible collimation to the area of interest.

Answer

Ensuring the lead apron is correctly placed on the patient.

Answer

Keeping the fluoroscopy time as short as possible.

Question 6

If a radiographer doubles their distance from a source of scatter radiation, the intensity of the radiation they are exposed to will be reduced to:

Accepted Answer

One-quarter of the original intensity.

Answer

One-half of the original intensity.

Answer

One-eighth of the original intensity.

Answer

The intensity will not change.