Diagnostic Imaging Equipment Flashcards
6 cards from real CBET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Diagnostic Imaging Equipment flashcards as text
What type of radiation does a conventional X-ray machine produce?
Answer: Ionizing electromagnetic radiation (X-rays)
X-ray tubes produce ionizing electromagnetic radiation by accelerating electrons into a tungsten anode, emitting photons in the X-ray spectrum.
Which unit measures absorbed radiation dose in tissue?
Answer: Gray (Gy)
The Gray is the SI unit of absorbed dose, defined as one joule of energy deposited per kilogram of tissue.
What is the primary safety concern for BMETs working on MRI equipment?
Answer: Extremely strong static magnetic field attracting ferromagnetic objects
MRI scanners operate with static fields up to 3 T or higher; ferromagnetic tools or implants can become dangerous projectiles near the bore.
In ultrasound imaging, what physical principle allows tissue boundaries to be visualized?
Answer: Reflection of sound waves at acoustic impedance mismatches
Sound waves reflect at interfaces between tissues of different acoustic impedance; the transducer detects these echoes to reconstruct an image.
A CT scanner's X-ray tube requires replacement. Which parameter most directly indicates tube wear?
Answer: Total accumulated milliampere-seconds (mAs) / heat units
Accumulated heat units or mAs track the thermal stress on the anode; manufacturers define tube replacement thresholds based on this metric.
Which regulatory body requires X-ray equipment registration and inspection programs in US states?
Answer: State radiation control programs (under agreement with NRC/FDA)
State radiation control programs register X-ray equipment and conduct inspections under authority delegated by the NRC and FDA.